Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 Jun;20(6):583-589.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.11.003. Epub 2016 Nov 23.

Physical activity and sedentary time in relation to academic achievement in children

Eero A Haapala  1 , Juuso Väistö  2 , Niina Lintu  3 , Kate Westgate  4 , Ulf Ekelund  5 , Anna-Maija Poikkeus  6 , Soren Brage  4 , Timo A Lakka  7
Affiliations

Physical activity and sedentary time in relation to academic achievement in children

Eero A Haapala et al. J Sci Med Sport. 2017 Jun.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the independent and combined associations of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) with reading and arithmetic skills.

Design: Cross-sectional/prospective.

Methods: Participants were 89 boys and 69 girls aged 6-8 years. MVPA and ST were measured using a combined heart rate and movement sensor and body fat percentage by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in Grade 1. Reading fluency, reading comprehension, and arithmetic skills were assessed using standardized tests in Grades 1-3. The data were analyzed using linear regression analyses and analyses of covariance with repeated measures.

Results: In boys, MVPA was directly and ST inversely associated with reading fluency in Grades 1-3 and arithmetic skills in Grade 1 (P<0.05). Higher levels of MVPA were also related to better reading comprehension in Grade 1 (P<0.05). Most of the associations of MVPA and ST with reading and arithmetic skills attenuated after mutual adjustment for MVPA or ST. Furthermore, boys with a combination of lower levels of MVPA and higher levels of ST had consistently poorer reading fluency (P=0.002) and reading comprehension (P=0.027) across Grades 1-3 than other boys. In girls, ST was directly associated with arithmetic skills in Grade 2 (P<0.05). However, this relationship of ST with arithmetic skills was no longer significant after adjustment for body fat percentage.

Conclusions: Lower levels of MVPA and higher levels of ST and particularly their combination were related to poorer reading skills in boys. In girls, higher levels of ST were related to better arithmetic skills.

Keywords: Academic performance; Cognition; Motor activity; Pediatrics; Sedentary behavior.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Differences in reading fluency, reading comprehension, and arithmetic skills in Grades 1–3 between 30 boys with low levels of MVPA and high levels of ST and other 56 boys and between 22 girls with low levels of MVPA and high levels of ST and other 37 girls adjusted for age and sensor wear time. The data are presented as estimated marginal means and their 95% confidence intervals.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Lee I.M., Shiroma E.J., Lobelo F. Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy. Lancet. 2012;380(9838):219–229. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Voss M.W., Carr L.J., Clark R. Revenge of the sit II: does lifestyle impact neuronal and cognitive health through distinct mechanisms associated with sedentary behavior and physical activity? Mental Health Phys Activity. 2014;7(1):9–24.
    1. Donnelly J.E., Hillman C.H., Castelli D. Physical activity, fitness, cognitive function, and academic achievement in children. Med Sci Sport Exerc. 2016;48(6):1197–1222. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Tremblay M.S., LeBlanc A.G., Kho M.E. Systematic review of sedentary behaviour and health indicators in school-aged children and youth. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Activity. 2011;8(1):98. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Syväoja H.J., Kantomaa M.T., Ahonen T. Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and academic performance in Finnish children. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2013;45(11):2098–2104. - PubMed