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Cited by 3Physical Activity and HealthObesity, Physical Activity, DietPhysical Education and Pedagogy

A cross-sectional study of 2nd-12th grade students’ physical activity related to academic achievement

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Alfaro-Chaverri, Amanda, Miller, Arthur, Noonan, Curtis, Quindry, John, Gaskill, Steven E.·2026·Sports Medicine and Health Science
DOI 10.1016/j.smhs.2025.03.011PMC PMC13424724
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Abstract

Background: Decreased physical activity (PA) influences childhood obesity and student learning. Sixty minutes (min) of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are recommended for good health and optimized academic achievement. Methods: We quantified all-day and in-school PA in association with academic success. Cross-sectional accelerometer data from 1 115 second-twelfth graders were evaluated for daily and in-school MVPA and vigorous physical activity (VPA). Associations between PA values and year-end grade point average (GPA) in grades 6-12 and criterion referenced standardized tests in reading (CRT-R) and math (CRT-M) were examined for grades 3-8 and 11 by multivariable regression. Results: MVPA and VPA declined as student grade level increased. Higher in-school and full-day PA was associated with increased academic success (e.g., GPA and standardized testing), with the effect size increasing with advancing grade level. Accumulating 30 ​min more of in-school MVPA was associated with 0.63 higher GPA. Accumulating 10 ​min more of in-school VPA was associated with higher standardized test scores: +11.9% and +12.0% for CRT-M and CRT-R, respectively. Conclusions: Across advancing grade levels, students were on average less physically active. Habitual physical activity at every grade level was associated with higher levels of academic success based on GPA and standardized test scores in both math and reading.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Alfaro-Chaverri, A., Miller, A., Noonan, C., Quindry, J., & Gaskill, S. E.
Affiliations
University of Montana (US)
Corresponding author
Quindry, John
ORCID
Venue
Sports Medicine and Health Science
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2026-09
Volume
8
Issue
5
Pages
537-548
ISSN
2666-3376 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.smhs.2025.03.011
PMC
PMC13424724
OpenAlex
W4409283901
Cited by
3
References
9
Citations by year
2026: 3
FWCI
1.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Sports Medicine and Health Science (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Physical Education and Pedagogy
Keywords
physical activity, academic performance, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, high-intensity exercise, grade point average, standardized test scores, adolescents, school grades, childhood obesity, accelerometer-measured activity

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