THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A CORRELATIONAL STUDY

Recovery schools for improving behavioral and academic outcomes among students in recovery from substance use disorders: a systematic review.

Whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical fitness affect academic performance in college first-year students is a concerning issue. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine the relationship between academic performance and CRF and the components of physical fitness in college first-year students. A total of 98 college first-year students (female: 30, male: 68) participated in this study. The CRF was measured using a gas analyzer on a treadmill and physical fitness included body mass index, sit-up in one minute, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, 800 (female) and 1600-m (male) run/walk. The two assessments were scheduled by an interval of 7 - 10 days. The grade point average (GPA) in formal grade report was provided by each participant after the completion of the first academic year. The data were analyzed by an independent t-test and the relationships between variables were analyzed by Pearson product-moment correlation. The results displayed that males were significantly higher than females in CRF (p 0.05). For physical fitness, the BMI, sit-up in one minute, standing long jump were significantly higher in males than in females. However, females were significantly higher than males in the number of sit-and-reach (p 0.05). For academic performance, the GPA displayed similar between different genders. After regression analyses, the CRF was significantly related with academic performance and explained 56% of the variance for GPA in male college freshmen. However, neither CRF nor the components of physical fitness showed any significant relationship with academic performance in females. In conclusion, the CRF accounted for the variance of academic performance in male. However, a similar result was not found in the female part.

To refine selective admission models, we investigate which measure of prior achievement has the best predictive validity for academic success in university. We compare the predictive validity of three core high school subjects to the predictive validity of high school grade point average (GPA) for academic achievement in a liberal arts university programme. Predictive validity is compared between the Dutch pre-university (VWO) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. Moreover, we study how final GPA is predicted by prior achievement after students complete their first year. Path models were separately run for VWO (n = 314) and IB (n = 113) graduates. For VWO graduates, high school GPA explained more variance than core subject grades in first-year GPA and final GPA. For IB graduates, we found the opposite. Subsequent path models showed that after students’ completion of the first year, final GPA is best predicted by a combination of first-year GPA and high school GPA. Based on our small-scale results, we cautiously challenge the use of high school GPA as the norm for measuring prior achievement. Which measure of prior achievement best predicts academic success in university may depend on the diploma students enter with.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is considered one of the most important determinants of the health status in children, and predictor of morbidity/mortality in adults. The aim is to examine the relationship between physical fitness (PF), PA, obesity and academic performance (AP) in primary school children. Methods: Cross-sectional studies including 91 primary school students, aged 9 to 12 years, from the province of Córdoba. Data was collected from April to June 2014. We measured PF using part of the EUROFIT fitness testing battery. The level of PA was measured as low or high PF and the level of obesity was measured using body mass index, waist circumference, percentage of fat mass, lean body mass, percentage of lean mass and basal metabolism. AP by scores on the second quarter was based on the total average of scores of basic subjects and other subjects, including physical education. Cognitive performance was assessed by the Spanish overall and factorial intelligence test.Results: The results of AP were positively related to levels of PF. Students who achieve better PF score better in Maths, (P=0.019), Natural Sciences (P=0.024), Religion (P=0.018) and Physical Education (P<0.001). A direct association between maximal aerobic capacity with Mathematics (r=0.325, P=0.02), AP (r=0.349, P=0.001) and cognitive performance (CP)(r=0.312, P=0.003) was observed. There was also a direct association of better jump tests with higher AP (r=0.328, P=0.002).Conclusion: The AP is associated with higher levels of fitness. Therefore, the education system should consider implementing curriculum strategies favouring the improvement of the PF, and therefore the health and AP of students.

A MET a Day Keeps Arrhythmia at Bay: The Association Between Exercise or Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND:The competitive nature of admissions to physical therapy programs necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the factors that predict student success. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pre- and post-admission variables and key indicators of success to improve the admission process and support student development.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This observational study reviewed pre- and post-admissions data from 319 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (BS)/Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at SUNY Downstate between 2006 and 2019. Pre-admission metrics included cumulative grade point average (GPA), science GPA, prerequisite GPA, and graduate record examination (GRE) scores, while post-admission factors included final BS GPA, final DPT GPA, time to graduation, academic probation, and program dismissal. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to examine relationships between these variables. T-tests and Chi-square tests were used to assess differences between successful and unsuccessful students, and a logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the predictive power of pre-admission metrics on student outcomes.RESULTS:The final BS GPA showed the strongest correlation with the final DPT GPA, indicating that academic performance in the first year of the BS/DPT program is a key predictor of success in the DPT portion of the curriculum. Quantitative GRE scores were higher among successful students, while the difference in pre-admission cumulative GPA (3.45 vs. 3.38, P = 0.05) approached significance.CONCLUSION:Pre-admission metrics such as cumulative GPA and quantitative GRE scores showed some predictive value, but student success was largely correlated with performance in the program’s first year.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were any significant differences in academic performance between distance students and on-campus students in clinical laboratory science. A quantitative causal comparative research design was used. The research study was conducted at an academic health sciences university in the eastern United States. Anecdotal graduate data were collected from students that had graduated from the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program. The students had either received their CLS education via distance or through the traditional on-campus methods. Academic performance was the major outcome measured. This was determined by comparing distance students' final grade point average (GPA) scores and certification scores to their on-campus counterparts. The researchers found no significant difference in gender between distance and on-campus students; however, there was a significant difference in age. On average the distance students were older than their on-campus counterparts. There were no significant differences found for mean overall admission GPA, mean math science admission GPA, mean final GPA score, and mean certification score. There were also no differences found in any of the subcategories of the certification exam except for urinalysis. For the urinalysis subcategory the distance students significantly outperformed their on-campus counterparts. Correlation studies showed that there were significant positive correlations between overall admission GPAs, math science admission GPAs, final GPA scores, and certification scores. The researchers have shown that distance learning CLS graduates are as academically prepared as their on-campus counterparts.

Background and Aim: Breakfast consumption is important especially for children and young people for mental development and school/academic success and also it has shown to be protective against obesity. The aim of this study is to investigate whether breakfast habits and diet quality affect anthropometric measurements and academic success among university students. Materials and Methods: A total of 365 students, aged between 17-27 years, attending a state University in Turkey, were enrolled for this study. A questionnaire on their eating habits and a diet quality index was designed for the students, anthropometric measurements and students’ final Grade Point Average (GPA) were taken. Results: Having regular breakfast and a high quality diet has been recorded to have positive effects on the waist circumference as well as waist/hip ratio and GPA scores. Conclusion: It was concluded that regular breakfast habits and a diet of good quality have positive impact on school, academic and the overall health.

A collection of 182 Intake 35 day scholar undergraduates who had followed the Local GCE Advanced Level examination from the Faculty of Engineering, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), was selected. Data was collected from the several departments and units of KDU. The Grade Point Average (GPA) was considered the scale of a student’s academic performance in the study. A descriptive analysis was performed to differentiate the configuration of the data and the relationship between the Year Grade Point Average (YGPA), and Final Grade Point Average (FGPA) variables with the Z-Score. Spearman and Kendall rank correlation tests were performed in the analysis. The results indicated that the Z-score has a comparatively strong positive relationship with student’s performance at the university in their first year and the class selection.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that counseling centers deliver a positive impact on the emotional and social development of college students who receive services. These healthy outcomes, in turn, can lead to increased academic success, such as improved performance, retention, and persistence. While these short-term academic outcomes have been widely investigated, very few studies have explored the relationship between counseling center services and longer-term educational outcomes, such as final grade point average (GPA), time spent at the university, and degree completion. In the current study, counseling center usage, including appointments that were attended, cancelled, and no showed, as well as distal educational variables were examined within 2 cohorts of first-time full-time students over a 6-year period. Findings revealed that both users and nonusers of counseling center services spent a similar amount of time to degree completion and achieved comparable final semester GPAs as well. However, students who utilized counseling services graduated at a significantly lower rate (79.8%) than those who did not use services (86.2%) across the 6-year time span. Post hoc analyses indicated that among students who used counseling services, those who did not graduate scheduled significantly more services than those who graduated, suggesting that students who use the counseling center, and have more chronic and severe mental health problems, may be graduating at a lower rate. Implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Impact of a Dual PharmD/MBA Degree on Graduates' Academic Performance, Career Opportunities, and Earning Potential

The purpose of the current study is to analyze the relationships between physical fitness, selective attention, and academic performance in pre-teens. The sample here consists of 135 participants between the ages of 10 and 12 (M = 11.05; SD = 0.61), with 39.26% female (n = 53) and 60.74% male (n = 82) participants. Horizontal and vertical jump distances, speed, and cardio-respiratory fitness were evaluated to assess physical fitness. The d2 Test of Attention was used to evaluate selective attention. In addition, data were obtained regarding participant academic performance by analyzing the academic performance. The results show significant relationships between the measures analyzed, highlighting positive associations between physical fitness, cognitive functioning, and academic performance. Thus, participants who were fitter scored better on tests of attention (Z133 = −4.07; p < 0.00007, Cohen’s d = 0.75, 95% CI (0.39, 1.11)) and concentration (t133 = −3.84; p < 0.0007, Cohen’s d = 0.69, 95% CI (0.33, 1.05)), as well as having higher academic performance (Z133 = −2.84; p < 0.0035, Cohen’s d = 0.39, 95% CI (0.04, 0.75)). Cardiorespiratory fitness was the measure of physical fitness that best explained these relationships. The results suggest that maintaining and improving the physical fitness of children and adolescents may help their brain function develop better.

Recent research has documented high rates of food insecurity among university students, particularly students in their first year. Food insecurity among university students has been linked to poorer self‐reported health and academic outcomes. However, few studies have linked reports of food insecurity to objective student outcomes. In this study, we examine how food insecurity is associated with first‐year university students' (n = 591) academic performance, adjusting for objective measures of high school academic performance and self‐reported indicators of socioeconomic background. Zero‐ and one‐inflated beta regression was used to examine if food insecurity predicted grade point average (GPA) in the fall 2015 and spring 2016 semesters. Logistic regression was used to determine if food insecurity at the end of the fall 2015 and spring 2016 semesters was a predictor of retention to fall 2016. Food‐insecure students had a significantly lower GPA than food‐secure students. In fall 2015, 59% of food‐insecure students obtained at least a “B” grade (GPA = 3.00); our models suggest this percentage would increase to 72% if these same students were food secure. Food‐insecure students were less likely to be enrolled in fall 2016 than food‐secure students (OR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.41, 1.27]), though this difference was not statistically significant. These results indicate that food insecurity negatively impacts first‐year university students' academic performance, even after adjusting for high school academic performance and socioeconomic background. Students GPA, and potentially university retention rates, may increase if food insecurity on campus is minimized.

To determine whether significant correlations existed among quantitative and qualitative predictors of students' academic success and quantitative outcomes of such success over a 12-year period in a small university's premedical program. A database was assembled from information on the 199 graduates who earned BS degrees in biology from Barry University's School of Natural and Health Sciences from 1980 through 1991. The quantitative variables were year of BS degree, total score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), various measures of undergraduate grade-point averages (GPAs), and total score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT); and the qualitative variables were minority (54% of the students) or majority status and transfer (about one-third of the students) or nontransfer status. The statistical methods were multiple analysis of variance and stepwise multiple regression. Statistically significant positive correlations were found among SAT total scores, final GPAs, biology GPAs versus nonbiology GPAs, and MCAT total scores. These correlations held for transfer versus nontransfer students and for minority versus majority students. Over the 12-year period there were significant fluctuations in mean MCAT scores. The students' SAT scores and GPAs proved to be statistically reliable predictors of MCAT scores, but the minority or majority status and the transfer or nontransfer status of the students were statistically insignificant.

Objectives: The aims of this study were (i) to examine the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and white matter volume and test whether those associations differ between normal-weight and overweight/obese children (ii) to analyze the association between other physical fitness components (i.e., motor and muscular) and white matter volume, and (iii) to examine whether the fitness-related associations in white matter volume were related to academic performance.Methods: Data came from two independent projects: ActiveBrains project (n = 100; 10.0 ± 1.1 years; 100% overweight/obese; Spain) and FITKids2 project (n = 242; 8.6 ± 0.5 years; 36% overweight/obese, United States). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed in both projects, and motor and muscular fitness were assessed in the ActiveBrains project. T1-weighted images were acquired with a 3.0 T S Magnetom Tim Trio system. Academic performance was assessed by standardized tests.Results: Cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with greater white matter volume in the ActiveBrain project (P < 0.001, k = 177; inferior fronto-opercular gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus) and in the FITKids project (P < 0.001, k = 117; inferior temporal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, middle occipital gyrus and fusiform gyrus) among overweight/obese children. However, no associations were found among normal-weight children in the FITKids project. In the ActiveBrains project, motor fitness was related to greater white matter volume (P < 0.001, k = 173) in six regions, specifically, insular cortex, caudate, bilateral superior temporal gyrus and bilateral supramarginal gyrus; muscular fitness was associated with greater white matter volumes (P < 0.001, k = 191) in two regions, particularly, the bilateral caudate and bilateral cerebellum IX. The white matter volume of six of these regions were related to academic performance, but after correcting for multiple comparisons, only the insular cortex remained significantly related to math calculations skills (β = 0.258; P < 0.005). In both projects, no brain regions showed a statistically significant negative association between any physical fitness component and white matter volume.Conclusion: Cardiorespiratory fitness may positively relate to white matter volume in overweight/obese children, and in turn, academic performance. In addition, motor and muscular fitness may also influence white matter volume coupled with better academic performance. From a public health perspective, implementing exercise interventions that combine aerobic, motor and muscular training to enhance physical fitness may benefit brain development and academic success.