Abstract
Background: Studies on relationship between physical activity and academic performance have yielded variable results while its effect on body mass index (BMI) is clearer. There is a paucity of data on the subject in the Indian subcontinent. Objectives : To explore the relationship between physical activity and academic performance in children between 12-18 years by assessing the correlation of physical activity with academic performance and BMI and analysing the association of duration of physical activity with academic performance and BMI. Method : A cross-sectional study was carried out involving a questionnaire based interview of 400 students in the age group of 12-18 years. The data was then analysed using correlation and unpaired t-test by SPSS software version 14.0. Results: A moderately good positive correlation was observed for physical activity with academic performance with r = +0.49, whereas a mild negative correlation was observed for physical activity with body mass index with r = −0.31. A sub-group analysis using unpaired t–test revealed that students indulging in physical activity of more than 1 hour duration had better academic performance and a healthier BMI as compared to students with physical activity less than or equal to 1 hour duration. Conclusions: Physical activity exhibits a positive relationship with academic performance and BMI in the adolescent age group.
Highlights
Physical activity has a positive effect on children’s health
A moderately good positive correlation was observed for physical activity with academic performance with r = +0.49, whereas a mild negative correlation was observed for physical activity with body mass index with r = −0.31
A sub-group analysis using unpaired t–test revealed that students indulging in physical activity of more than 1 hour duration had better academic performance and a healthier body mass index (BMI) as compared to students with physical activity less than or equal to 1 hour duration . 1Student, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India, 2Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Command Hospital (Air Force), Bangalore, India, 3Lecturer in Statistics and Demography, Department Of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India *Correspondence: drbmj1972@yahoo.com (Received on 17 January 2015: Accepted after revision on 20 February 2015) The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest Personal funding was used for this project
Summary
Physical activity has a positive effect on children’s health. It is believed that regular physical activity is linked to enhancement of brain function and cognition. The time a student devotes to his physical activity is inversely proportional to his body mass index (BMI). Due to the increased syllabus and academic pressure, supplemented by pressure from parents, many students prefer to study in their play time hours. This trend is fraught with the risk of increasing obesity. A review of literature shows that physical activity is variably correlated with scholastic performance and has a beneficial effect on maintaining BMI10-13. Studies on relationship between physical activity and academic performance have yielded variable results while its effect on body mass index (BMI) is clearer. There is a paucity of data on the subject in the Indian subcontinent
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
