Association Between Device-Measured Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Academic Performance in Adolescents

Author(s)

Bueno, Maria Raquel de Oliveira ^[1] ; Zambrin, Lidyane Ferreira ^[1] ; Panchoni, Camila ^[1] ; Werneck, Andre Oliveira ^{[1, 2]} ; Fernandes, Romulo Araujo ^[2] ; Serassuelo, Helio ^[1] ; Romanzini, Marcelo ^[1] ; Ronque, Enio Ricardo Vaz ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Londrina, Londrina, Parana - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ, Presidente Prudente - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: HEALTH EDUCATION & BEHAVIOR; v. 48, n. 1, p. 54-62, FEB 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background Although many studies found a positive association between physical activity (PA) and academic performance (AP), most did not consider important variables of school setting and students' self-concept. Aims To analyze the association between moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and AP in adolescents, considering potential confounding variables of school setting and self-concept in adolescents. Method The final sample was composed of 394 students (186 boys) with a mean age of 11.3 (SD= 0.8) years. The school grades were used as an indicator of AP. Measurements of body mass and stature were collected, and the body mass index was calculated and converted intoz-score values. Maternal education, socioeconomic status, self-concept, and variables of the school setting were self-reported. MVPA and sedentary behavior (SB) were measured through accelerometry (GT3X and GT3X+; ActiGraph, Pensacola, Florida). Multiple linear regression was used for the association analyses, adoptingp< .05. Results MVPA was inversely associated with global AP and mathematics only for girls: beta = -.105 (95% CI {[}-0.205, -0.006];p= .038); beta = -.136 (95% CI {[}-0.261, -0.011];p= .033). After adjusting for the school setting and self-concept, these significant associations disappear. Discussion MVPA was inversely associated with global AP and mathematics only for girls regardless of age,z-score body mass index, maternal education, socioeconomic status, and SB. However, after adjusting for school setting and self-concept, theses association disappear in mathematics and global AP, respectively. Conclusion The device-measured MVPA was not associated with AP after controlling for important variables (school setting and self-concept). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/27234-2 - Longitudinal association between biological maturation, body fatness and sports participation predicting the risk of metabolic syndrome and C-reactive protein: structural equation modelling (ABCD - growth study)
• Grantee: André de Oliveira Werneck
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master