Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement in Third- and Fifth-Grade Students

TLDR

The link between physical fitness and academic achievement has attracted attention amid rising childhood overweight rates and schools’ pressure to meet academic standards. The study assessed 259 third‑ and fifth‑grade public‑school students using field fitness tests and measured their academic achievement. Higher aerobic capacity correlated with better overall, math, and reading scores, while higher BMI was associated with lower achievement, indicating that fitness factors are broadly linked to preadolescent academic performance.

Abstract

The relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement has received much attention owing to the increasing prevalence of children who are overweight and unfit, as well as the inescapable pressure on schools to produce students who meet academic standards. This study examined 259 public school students in third and fifth grades and found that field tests of physical fitness were positively related to academic achievement. Specifically, aerobic capacity was positively associated with achievement, whereas BMI was inversely related. Associations were demonstrated in total academic achievement, mathematics achievement, and reading achievement, thus suggesting that aspects of physical fitness may be globally related to academic performance in preadolescents. The findings are discussed with regards to maximizing school performance and the implications for educational policies.