Sports Participation Did Not Interfere with Mathematics Performance in Chinese Adolescents

Abstract

Active physical activity (PA) participation is generally thought to affect the academic performance of students. However, this notion has not been verified, especially with respect to the Chinese population. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between mathematics performance and the involvement of students in sports-type extra-curricular activity (SECA). METHODS: Ninety-two Chinese adolescents were recruited from a low-banding secondary school in Hong Kong and were followed for 24 months. Their SECA engagement and mathematics performance in the 9th and 11th grades were measured, and their academic scores were standardized into t-scores for comparison. The participants were split into two categories, namely, the SECA and non-SECA groups, based on a self-reported questionnaire. Health-related fitness profiles (body mass index (BMI), nine-minute run, one-minute sit-up, push-up, and sit-and-reach) were measured during the 11th grade to evaluate potential associations with SECA participation. The fitness scores were standardized and compiled into composite fitness scores. RESULTS: ANCOVA (SES as covariate) revealed that the SECA group was physically fitter than the non-SECA group (F=6.273, p<0.01). Two-way repeated measures MANCOVA (grade x group, SES and fitness level as covariates) revealed that no interaction effects occurred between the SECA and non-SECA groups in terms of mathematics score (F=0.232, p=0.632). Nevertheless, the SECA group improved their mathematics performance more in the 11th grade than in the 9th grade (Δ=+0.452). The non-SECA group experienced a drop in performance (Δ=−0.211), although it was not statistically significant. Results from stepwise regression suggested that composite fitness scores significantly predicted mathematics performance (t=2.805, p<0.01) but not whether or not SECA participation. CONCLUSION: SECA participants displayed higher physical fitness level without compromising mathematics performance. The promising findings of this longitudinal study support sports activity for school-aged children.