Influence of physical fitness on cognitive and academic performance in adolescents: a systematic review from 2005–2015
Abstract
Background: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the association of different components of physical fitness on cognitive performance (CP) and academic performance (AP) in adolescents, taking into account potential confounders. Method: Studies were identified in four databases (Pubmed, SportDiscus, Web of Science, and ProQuest) from January 2005 through to January 2015. A total of 21 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: 8 studies showed association between physical fitness and CP, and 11 studies with AP. Cardiorespiratory fitness, speed-agility, motor coordination, and perceptual-motor skill are the highest measures associated with CP and AP. However, the findings on strength and flexibility are unclear. Finally, 62% of the 21 studies used confounders. The most controlled confounder were socioeconomic status, fatness, pubertal status, sex, and age. Conclusion: Fitness is associated with higher CP and AP. More research is needed in order to understand the causes of the differential effect of physical fitness components on CP and AP.
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Habitual physical activity promotes higher fitness level, which is associated with better academic performance, cognitive performance and cognitive control in adolescents.
“Habitual physical activity promotes higher fitness level,16 which has been associated with better academic performance,17 cognitive performance18 and cognitive control19 in adolescents.”
From Influence of habitual physical activity on cognitive performance of healthy young adults after passive heat exposure (2026) · cites this paper as [17]
Ruiz-Ariza and colleagues observed a generally beneficial relationship between several fitness metrics and cognitive outcomes in adolescents.
“Similarly, Ruiz-Ariza et al. (37) observed a generally beneficial relationship of several metrics of fitness with cognitive outcomes.”
From Physical Activity, Cognition, and Brain Outcomes: A Review of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines (2019) · cites this paper as [37]
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References 74 · Cited by 140
- Authors
- Ruiz-Ariza, A., Grao-Cruces, A., de Loureiro, N. E. M., & Martínez-López, E. J.
- Affiliations
- Department of Corporal Expression, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain
- Department of Corporal Expression, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain
- Laboratorio de Actividade Física e Saúde – Escola Superior de Educação, Instituto Politécnico de Beja, Beja, Portugal
- Venue
- International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2016-09-04
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 108-133
- ISSN
- 1750-984X (ISSN-L)
- 1750-9858
- OpenAlex
- W2514410359
- Cited by
- 140
- References
- 74
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 10
- FWCI
- 1.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Jaén’s (UJA2013/08/29)
- ‘Fundación Caja Rural de Jaén’
- University of Jaén R+D+I (R6/8/2013)
- Research Group: Physical Activity Applied to Education and Health (University of Jaen, Spain) (HUM-943)
- University Teaching Staff Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spanish Government (AP-2014-01185)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Children's Physical and Motor Development
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Physical Education and Training Studies
- Keywords
- physical fitness, cognitive performance, academic performance, adolescents, cardiorespiratory fitness, speed and agility, motor coordination, perceptual-motor skills, strength, flexibility, confounding variables, socioeconomic status, fat mass, puberty
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