Level of Physical Activity and Academic Performance

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Abstract

This study is aimed at the relationship between the level of physical activity and its effects on academic performance in secondary education students. A quasi-experimental research design has been employed from an interpretative approach using the PAQ-A scale to measure the level of physical activity. It has been noted that there are significant differences between the levels of physical activity in terms of students’ grade and gender. Students in lower grades have a higher average level of physical activity than those in higher grades. It has also been observed that as age increases, there is a higher rate of abandonment of physical activity. In addition, it has been found that there is a higher level of physical activity among boys than girls. However, no difference has been detected between the level of physical activity and the type of sport and between academic performance and the three levels of physical activity (mild, moderate, or intense), one of the main aims of this study. Although the majority of studies show a positive effect of physical activity on constructs related to academic performance, further studies require more consistent designs in order to examine the types and amounts of activity necessary to produce improvements in academic performance.