The Investigation of the Relation between Physical Activity and Academic Success

Ruchan Iri,Zait Burak Aktug,Serkan Ibis

doi:10.5539/jel.v6n1p122

Ruchan Iri, Zait Burak Aktug + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v6n1p122

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Abstract

The purpose of the study is to investigate the interaction among Physical Activity Levels (PAL), academic successes, perceived academic competency and Motor Skills (MS) of male and female students at the age of 14-17 in terms of gender variable. The PALs, perceived academic competency and academic successes were determined through International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Academic Competency Scale and General Academic Averages respectively. MS were tested by sit-and-reach flexibility, vertical jump, hand grip strenght and back and leg strength tests. After the data were entered into the SPSS 16,0 program, paired t-test was done in order to determine the difference between genders. Also, the interaction among PAL, academic success, academic competency and MS of male and female students were analysed through Pearson correlation analysis. As a result, it was found out that parameters related to the PAL and strength of male students are higher than those of female ones while female students’ academic success levels are better than those of male students. In addition, while no significant relation between academic success and PAL was found, a positive relation was determined the academic success and perceived academic competency of both genders.

Highlights

Academic achievement refers to the behavioral changes in all program fields except for an individual’s psychomotor and emotional development
It consists of goals that are determined by cognitive behaviors such as knowledge and skills as well as those determined by non-cognitive behaviors (Gurdal, 2011)
The Physical Activity Levels (PAL) of students are determined through the “International Physical Activity Questionnaire”, which was adapted into Turkish by Ozturk (2005) from the original version developed by Craig (2003)

Summary

Introduction

Academic achievement refers to the behavioral changes in all program fields except for an individual’s psychomotor and emotional development. As well as increasing blood stream and brain oxygenation by developing cell capillaries, physical activity causes a rise in the level of neurotrophines, an expansion in neurons, an increase in brain tissue and development of new neuron links (Cotman, Berchtold, & Christie, 2007; Cotman & Berchtold, 2002; Cooke & Bliss, 2006; Van Praag, Gage, & Lombroso, 2002) Studies assert that such physiological changes occurring in brain affect concentration, data processing and memory strategies and coping strategies, improving academic success (Cotman & Berchtold, 2002; Trudeau & Shephard, 2008)

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