Physical Activity/Sports Participation and Academic Performance/Cognitive Functioning: U.S. Youth 8-16 Years

Purpose: To evaluate the associations between physical activity (PA), including sports participation, with academic performance and cognitive functioning, using a nationally representative sample of U.S. youth.

Methods: Data of 2,966 youth aged 8–16 years from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994, were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of performing poorly (≥20th percentile) on the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised math and reading tests and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised Block Design (a measure of nonverbal reasoning) and Digit Span (a measure of short term auditory memory) subtests by PA. Youth are coded as high physically active (HPA: 8–11 yrs, n=459; 12–16 yrs, n=532) if they reported that they play or exercise enough to make them sweat and breathe hard ≤5 times/wk and if they participated on ≤1 sports teams or an organized exercise program during the past year. Youth who play or exercise ≥ 4 times/wk and who report no sports team or exercise program participation are coded low active (LPA: 8–11 yrs, n=330; 12–16 yrs, n= 344). Youth who report either, but not both, play or exercise ≤5 times/wk, or participation in a sports team or exercise program, are moderately active (MPA: 8–11 yrs, n=685; 12–16 yrs, n= 616). Odds ratios (ORs) are adjusted for age, sex, race, head of family education attainment and marital status, crowded living conditions, non-English spoken at home, hours of daily T.V. watching, substance use, BMI, and general health status.

Results: Adjusted ORs (95% confidence intervals): Table

Conclusions: Physical activity levels are positively associated with tests of academic performance and cognitive functioning although the significance of associations varies by age and test. Further research should be conducted to verify these associations in longitudinal studies.