Physical fitness and academic performance in middle school students.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine whether physical fitness is linked to academic success in middle school students.
METHODS: The FITNESSGRAM test battery assessed students (n = 838) in the five components of health-related fitness. The Illinois Standardized Achievement Test (ISAT) was used to assess academic achievement in reading and math.
RESULTS: The largest correlations were seen for aerobic fitness and muscular endurance (ranging from 0.12 to 0.27, all p < 0.05). Boys in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) for aerobic fitness or muscular endurance were 2.5-3 times more likely to pass their math or reading exams. Girls in the HFZ for aerobic fitness were approximately 2-4 times as likely to meet or exceed reading and math test standards.
CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic capacity and muscular endurance seem to positively affect academic achievement in middle school students. ©2013 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.