Study Links High Physical Activity Levels to Enhanced Academic Performance in Boys

A team of Finnish researchers provide evidence that high levels of physical activity is linked to enhanced academic performance in the first three school years, especially among boys.

Physical activity is known for benefitting students as it is boosts physical fitness and also lowers the risk of obesity - which has emerged as a major health concern in the recent decades. Apart from this, physical activity is known to increase the students' cognitive control due to which researchers have emphasized that it should be a core educational concern.

The new study, led by the University of Eastern Finland, reveals that high levels of physical activity is linked with better reading and arithmetic skills among boys during the first three years of school. This study was conducted in collaboration with the University of Jyvaskyla.

The researchers investigated the association between various types of physical activity and sedentary behavior evaluated during the first grade to reading and arithmetic skills in grade 1-3 among 186 Finnish children.

It was noticed that higher levels of physical activity at recess was linked to enhanced reading skills, and participation in organized sports was linked to higher arithmetic tests scores in grades 1-3. Especially among boys, higher the level of physical activity like walking and bicycling to and from school, higher was reading skills.

Boys, who spent more time in activities involving reading and writing in their leisure time had better reading skills as compared to boys who spent less time practicing such activities. Those who were more engaged in computer and video games had higher arithmetic test scores. However, in girls there were very few links of physical activity and sedentary behavior with academic achievement, after considering certain factors.

"The findings of the present study highlight the potential of physical activity during recess and participation in organized sports in the improvement of academic achievement in children. Particularly boys' school success may benefit from higher levels of physical activity and active school transportation, reading and writing as well as moderate computer and video game use," researchers explain.

The fining was documented in the journal PLOS One.