Cited by 368Physical Education and PedagogyPhysical Activity and HealthSchool Health and Nursing Education

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 38 of the 38 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Physical Education and Academic Achievement in Elementary School: Data From the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study

Open access

Carlson, Susan A., Fulton, Janet E., Lee, Sarah M., Maynard, L. Michele, Brown, David R., Kohl, Harold W., Dietz, William H.·2008·American Journal of Public Health

DOI 10.2105/ajph.2007.117176PMC PMC2377002

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

Objectives. We examined the association between time spent in physical education and academic achievement in a longitudinal study of students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Methods. We used data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998 to 1999, which employed a multistage probability design to select a nationally representative sample of students in kindergarten (analytic sample = 5316). Time spent in physical education (minutes per week) was collected from classroom teachers, and academic achievement (mathematics and reading) was scored on an item response theory scale. Results. A small but significant benefit for academic achievement in mathematics and reading was observed for girls enrolled in higher amounts (70–300 minutes per week) of physical education (referent: 0–35 minutes per week). Higher amounts of physical education were not positively or negatively associated with academic achievement among boys. Conclusions. Among girls, higher amounts of physical education may be associated with an academic benefit. Physical education did not appear to negatively affect academic achievement in elementary school students. Concerns about adverse effects on achievement may not be legitimate reasons to limit physical education programs.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.2105/ajph.2007.117176

Cites

38 of 38 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

We couldn’t retrieve this paper’s full text, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Models for Longitudinal Data: A Generalized Estimating Equation Approach
Zeger, S. L., Liang, K., & Albert, P. S. (1988) · Biometrics · doi:10.2307/2531734 · Cited by 4,505
Evidence Based Physical Activity for School-age Youth
Strong, W. B., Malina, R. M., Blimkie, C. J. R., Daniels, S. R., Dishman, R. K., Gutin, B., Hergenroeder, A. C., Must, A., Nixon, P. A., Pivarnik, J. M., et al. (2005) · The Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.01.055 · Cited by 4,222
The effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activityA systematic review1 and 2
KAHN, E., RAMSEY, L., BROWNSON, R., HEATH, G., HOWZE, E., POWELL, K., STONE, E., RAJAB, M., & CORSO, P. (2002) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0749-3797(02)00434-8 · Cited by 2,022
Physical Education and Sport in Schools: A Review of Benefits and Outcomes
Bailey, R. (2006) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2006.00132.x · Cited by 1,080
The effects of a 2-year physical education program (SPARK) on physical activity and fitness in elementary school students. Sports, play and active recreation for kids
Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Alcaraz, J. E., Kolody, B., Faucette, N., & Hovell, M. F. (1997) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.87.8.1328 · Cited by 914
Tracking of Physical Activity and Physical Fitness across the Lifespan
Malina, R. M. (1996) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.1996.10608853 · Cited by 736
Effects of a classroom-based program on physical activity and on-task behavior
MAHAR, M. T., MURPHY, S. K., ROWE, D. A., GOLDEN, J., SHIELDS, A. T., & RAEDEKE, T. D. (2006) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000235359.16685.a3 · Cited by 674
Effect of physical education and activity levels on academic achievement in children
COE, D. P., PIVARNIK, J. M., WOMACK, C. J., REEVES, M. J., & MALINA, R. M. (2006) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000227537.13175.1b · Cited by 611
Effects of Health-Related Physical Education on Academic Achievement: Project SPARK
Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Kolody, B., Lewis, M., Marshall, S., & Rosengard, P. (1999) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.1999.10608030 · Cited by 499
Preventing childhood obesity: Health in the balance: Executive summary
Koplan, J. P., Liverman, C. T., & Kraak, V. I. (2005) · Journal of the American Dietetic Association · doi:10.1016/j.jada.2004.11.023 · Cited by 486

Flagged first, then by citations

Show all 38 references

Research works printed but not linked: 2

Shephard RJ, Lavallee H, Volle M, LaBarre R, Beaucage C. Academic skills and required physical education: the Trois Rivieres experience. CAPHER J Res Suppl. 1994;1:1–12.
10.2307/2685737 · DOI

Sorted by citations

Physical Activity, Fitness, Cognitive Function, and Academic Achievement in Children: A Systematic Review
Donnelly, J. E., Hillman, C. H., Castelli, D., Etnier, J. L., Lee, S., Tomporowski, P., Lambourne, K., & Szabo-Reed, A. N. (2016) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000000901 · Cited by 1,864
“Longitudinal Studies—The longitudinal, observational cohort study (17) on PE and academic achievement reported positive results for girls but not boys.”
Self-citation
School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18
Dobbins, M., Husson, H., DeCorby, K., & LaRocca, R. L. (2013) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007651.pub2 · Cited by 1,358
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
Kohl, H. W., Cook, H. D. V., & Nutrition Board (2013) · Cited by 805
Self-citation
The association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance: A systematic review of the literature
Rasberry, C. N., Lee, S. M., Robin, L., Laris, B. A., Russell, L. A., Coyle, K. K., & Nihiser, A. J. (2011) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.01.027 · Cited by 709
“Three of the studies found positive associations between time spent in physical education or skills learned in physical education and indicators of academic achievement (Carlson et al., 2008; Dexter, 1999; Tremarche et al., 2007).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Physical Activity and Performance at School: A Systematic Review of the Literature Including a Methodological Quality Assessment
Singh, A. (2012) · Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine · doi:10.1001/archpediatrics.2011.716 · Cited by 604
Physical Activity Across the Curriculum (PAAC): A randomized controlled trial to promote physical activity and diminish overweight and obesity in elementary school children
Donnelly, J. E., Greene, J. L., Gibson, C. A., Smith, B. K., Washburn, R. A., Sullivan, D. K., DuBose, K., Mayo, M. S., Schmelzle, K. H., Ryan, J. J., et al. (2009) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2009.07.022 · Cited by 595
“Carlson et al. recently reported findings from a five year cohort investigation that followed kindergarten students through fifth grade and compared the amount of physical education received to academic achievement (Carlson et al., 2008).”
Background
Classroom-based physical activity, cognition, and academic achievement
Donnelly, J. E., & Lambourne, K. (2011) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.01.021 · Cited by 554
“The evidence for significant increases in academic achievement in response to increases in physical activity during physical education class is not convincing (Ahamed et al., 2007; Carlson et al., 2008).”
Background
Healthier Students Are Better Learners: A Missing Link in School Reforms to Close the Achievement Gap
Basch, C. E. (2011) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00632.x · Cited by 521
“Some consider physical activity (Carlson et al., 2008; Nelson & Gordon-Larsen, 2006), others consider physical fi tness (Castelli et al.”
Physical Activity: An Underestimated Investment in Human Capital?
Bailey, R. P., Hillman, C. H., Arent, S. M., & Petitpas, A. J. (2013) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.10.3.289 · Cited by 453
Physical activity interventions and children's mental function: An introduction and overview
Tomporowski, P. D., Lambourne, K., & Okumura, M. S. (2011) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.01.028 · Cited by 405
“The results of several recent correlational studies conducted on data obtained from large samples of children and adolescents suggest moderate to strong positive associations between the amount of physical activity or participation in physical education and school behavior and academic achievement (Carlson et al., 200…”
Physical activity and cognition in adolescents: A systematic review
Esteban-Cornejo, I., Tejero-Gonzalez, C. M., Sallis, J. F., & Veiga, O. L. (2015) · Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport · doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2014.07.007 · Cited by 336
Physical activity and academic achievement in children: a historical perspective
Howie, E. K., & Pate, R. R. (2012) · Journal of Sport and Health Science · doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2012.09.003 · Cited by 297
“33,36 Studies in the past 5 years have found effects in girls and not boys 95 or boys and not girls.”
Background
Physical Activity and Sports Team Participation: Associations With Academic Outcomes in Middle School and High School Students
Fox, C. K., Barr-Anderson, D., Neumark-Sztainer, D., & Wall, M. (2010) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2009.00454.x · Cited by 293
Do Health and Education Agencies in the United States Share Responsibility for Academic Achievement and Health? A Review of 25 Years of Evidence About the Relationship of Adolescents' Academic Achievement and Health Behaviors
Bradley, B. J., & Greene, A. C. (2013) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.01.008 · Cited by 253
Ten Years of TAKE 10!®: Integrating physical activity with academic concepts in elementary school classrooms
Kibbe, D. L., Hackett, J., Hurley, M., McFarland, A., Schubert, K. G., Schultz, A., & Harris, S. (2011) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.01.025 · Cited by 241
“Recent reviews (Carlson et al., 2008; Trudeau and Shephard, 2008; CDC, 2010b) indicate that schools withmoreminutes of PE and PA have higher levels of academic performance.”
Background
A Physical Education trial improves adolescents' cognitive performance and academic achievement: the EDUFIT study
Ardoy, D. N., Fernández‐Rodríguez, J. M., Jiménez‐Pavón, D., Castillo, R., Ruiz, J. R., & Ortega, F. B. (2014) · Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports · doi:10.1111/sms.12093 · Cited by 227
“It has also been suggested that PE at schools may have a positive effect on academic achievement (Sallis et al., 1999; Carlson et al., 2008; Trudeau & Shephard, 2008; Rasberry et al., 2011).”
Background
Untitled work
(2011) · Cited by 207
The impact of children's exposure to greenspace on physical activity, cognitive development, emotional wellbeing, and ability to appraise risk
Ward, J. S., Duncan, J. S., Jarden, A., & Stewart, T. (2016) · Health & Place · doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2016.04.015 · Cited by 201
Associations between Physical Activity, Fitness, and Academic Achievement
Kwak, L., Kremers, S. P. J., Bergman, P., Ruiz, J. R., Rizzo, N. S., & Sjöström, M. (2009) · The Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.06.019 · Cited by 198
Associations between gross Motor Coordination and Academic Achievement in elementary school children
Lopes, L., Santos, R., Pereira, B., & Lopes, V. P. (2012) · Human Movement Science · doi:10.1016/j.humov.2012.05.005 · Cited by 195
“While the relationship between PA and physical fitness with academic achievement (AA) has been thoroughly explored (Ahamed et al., 2007; Carlson et al., 2008; Castelli, Hillman, Buck, & Erwin, 2007; Chomitz et al., 2009; Coe, Pivarnik, Womack, Reeves, & Malina, 2006; Etnier, Nowell, Landers, &…”
BackgroundInfluential
The relationship between physical activity and diet and young children's cognitive development: A systematic review
Tandon, P. S., Tovar, A., Jayasuriya, A. T., Welker, E. B., Schober, D. J., Copeland, K. A., Dev, D. A., Murriel, A. L., Amso, D., & Ward, D. S. (2016) · Preventive Medicine Reports · doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.04.003 · Cited by 209
“Research among school-aged children has demonstrated that physical activity is associatedwith academic achievement and desirable classroom behavior (Trost, 2009; Welk et al., 2010; Carlson et al., 2008; Davenport, 2010; Mahar et al., 2006; Rasberry et al., 2011).”
Background
Physical activity in child-care centers: do teachers hold the key to the playground?
Copeland, K. A., Kendeigh, C. A., Saelens, B. E., Kalkwarf, H. J., & Sherman, S. N. (2011) · Health Education Research · doi:10.1093/her/cyr038 · Cited by 218
“Physical activity has also been associated with numerous other long-term health benefits, including improved blood pressure, blood cholesterol profiles and increased bone mineral density [26–31], as well as mood and cognitive benefits such as decreased anxiety, depression and aggression and improved attention [31–36],…”
Background
Examining the Impact of Integrating Physical Activity on Fluid Intelligence and Academic Performance in an Elementary School Setting: A Preliminary Investigation
Reed, J. A., Einstein, G. O., Hahn, E. R., Hooker, S. P., Gross, V., & Kravitz, J. (2010) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.7.3.343 · Cited by 197
Four minutes of in-class high-intensity interval activity improves selective attention in 9- to 11-year olds
Ma, J. K., Mare, L. L., & Gurd, B. J. (2014) · Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism · doi:10.1139/apnm-2014-0309 · Cited by 197
“2011) and in fact may improve it (Ahamed et al. 2007; Carlson et al. 2008; Murray et al. 2007; Rasberry et al. 2011; Sallis et al. 1999; Trudeau and Shephard 2008, 2010).”
Background
The impact of physical activity and fitness on academic achievement and cognitive performance in children
Keeley, T. J. H., & Fox, K. R. (2009) · International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1080/17509840903233822 · Cited by 182
“The study by Carlson et al. (2008) where physical education time tertiles were compared did show significantly higher mathematics and reading scores in the high versus the low PE tertile.”
Result
A Longitudinal Examination of the Link Between Youth Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement
London, R. A., & Castrechini, S. (2011) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00608.x · Cited by 170
“Using the same data but focusing on physical education rather than BMI, Carlson et al. (2008) showed that more physical education offered a small benefit to achievement, but also primarily for girls.”
MethodInfluential
Health care practices in ancient Greece: The Hippocratic ideal.
Kleisiaris, C. F., Sfakianakis, C., & Papathanasiou, I. V. (2014) · PubMed Central · Cited by 153
Physical activity and obesity mediate the association between childhood motor function and adolescents’ academic achievement
KANTOMAA, M. T., Stamatakis, E., Kankaanpää, A., Kaakinen, M., Rodriguez, A., Taanila, A. M., Ahonen, T. P. S., Järvelin, M., & Tammelin, T. (2012) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1214574110 · Cited by 173
“Although some previous studies have reported sex differences in obesity (20), physical activity (32, 33), and fitness (34) in association with academic achievement, in this study the direction and magnitude of the associations were similar for boys and girls.”
Result
Obesity, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behavior of Youth With Learning Disabilities and ADHD
Cook, B. G., Li, D., & Heinrich, K. M. (2014) · Journal of Learning Disabilities · doi:10.1177/0022219413518582 · Cited by 160
“However, research has shown that devoting more school time to physical education and physical activity has either no effect or a positive effect on academic performance (e.g., Carlson et al., 2008; CDC, 2010; Tremarche, Robinson, & Graham, 2007).”
Background
Physical literacy and Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs
Castelli, D. M., Centeio, E. E., Beighle, A. E., Carson, R. L., & Nicksic, H. M. (2014) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.06.007 · Cited by 163
A Narrative Review of Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity to Cognition and Scholastic Performance across the Human Lifespan
Burkhalter, T. M., & Hillman, C. H. (2011) · Advances in Nutrition · doi:10.3945/an.111.000331 · Cited by 137
“Further examinations revealed females exhibited higher academic achievement than males, especially at higher fitness levels (40), suggesting that physical activity participation may be more beneficial for girls, as those who were more vigorously engaged performed better in school (41).”
Background
The Association of Health-Related Fitness With Indicators of Academic Performance in Texas Schools
Welk, G. J., Jackson, A. W., Morrow, J. R., Haskell, W. L., Meredith, M. D., & Cooper, K. H. (2010) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.2010.10599690 · Cited by 128
“The results were consistent with several previous studies showing stronger associations for girls than boys (Carlson et al., 2008; Datar & Sturm, 2006; Eveland-Sayers et al., 2009; Grissom, 2005).”
BackgroundResult
Physical Education, Obesity, and Academic Achievement: A 2-Year Longitudinal Investigation of Australian Elementary School Children
Telford, R. D., Cunningham, R. B., Fitzgerald, R., Olive, L. S., Prosser, L., Jiang, X., & Telford, R. M. (2012) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.2011.300220 · Cited by 123
“First, a comprehensive review,(7) although supportive of PE in general, could only conclude that allocating time to PE did not hinder classroom-based learning, a finding supported by a subsequent study incorporating a very large sample size.(8) Second, researchers conducting a metaanalysis found little evidence to sup…”
Result
Relationships of Physical Activity to Brain Health and the Academic Performance of Schoolchildren
Trudeau, F., & Shephard, R. J. (2009) · American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine · doi:10.1177/1559827609351133 · Cited by 148
“Although not quasi-experimental, a recent American investigation of data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study indicated that, in girls, the group undertaking more physical education in kindergarten (ie, from 70 to 300 minutes weekly) had better scores for mathematics and reading during their subsequent primary…”
Result
Putting physical activity where it fits in the school day: preliminary results of the ABC (Activity Bursts in the Classroom) for fitness program.
Katz, D. L., Cushman, D. M., Reynolds, J., Njike, V. Y., Treu, J. A., Walker, J., Smith, E., & Katz, C. S. (2010) · PubMed Central · Cited by 118
The Influence of the VERB Campaign on Children's Physical Activity in 2002 to 2006
Huhman, M. E., Potter, L. D., Nolin, M. J., Piesse, A., Judkins, D. R., Banspach, S. W., & Wong, F. L. (2010) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.2008.142968 · Cited by 111
Classroom-based high-intensity interval activity improves off-task behaviour in primary school students
Ma, J. K., Mare, L. L., & Gurd, B. J. (2014) · Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism · doi:10.1139/apnm-2014-0125 · Cited by 131
“…an important site for increased physical activity (Tomporowski et al. 2011); yet, despite substantial evidence to the contrary (Ahamed et al. 2007; Carlson et al. 2008; Murray et al. 2007; Rasberry et al. 2011; Sallis et al. 1999; Trudeau and Shephard 2008, 2010), the belief that increasing time…”
Background
Implementation of a school-based state policy to increase physical activity*.
Evenson, K., Ballard, K., Lee, G., & Ammerman, A. (2009) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2009.00403.x · Cited by 123
Societal Values and Policies May Curtail Preschool Children’s Physical Activity in Child Care Centers
Copeland, K. A., Sherman, S. N., Kendeigh, C. A., Kalkwarf, H. J., & Saelens, B. E. (2012) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2011-2102 · Cited by 111
Children’s Aerobic Fitness and Academic Achievement: A Longitudinal Examination of Students During Their Fifth and Seventh Grade Years
Wittberg, R. A., Northrup, K. L., & Cottrell, L. (2012) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.2011.300515 · Cited by 111
Physical activity, cognition and academic performance: an analysis of mediating and confounding relationships in primary school children
McPherson, A., Mackay, L. M., Kunkel, J., & Duncan, S. (2018) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5863-1 · Cited by 124
“Other studies have identified PA-cognition and PA-academic performance relationships for children of many different ethnic origins including US [27], Dutch [26], French [10], Australian [28], and Taiwanese [29], but none were identified that consider differences in the relationship on the basis of ethnicity.”
Background
They just need to move: Teachers' perception of classroom physical activity breaks
Dinkel, D. M., Schaffer, C. L., Snyder, K., & Lee, J. M. (2017) · Teaching and Teacher Education · doi:10.1016/j.tate.2016.12.020 · Cited by 94
VII. The history of physical activity and academic performance research: informing the future
Castelli, D. M., Centeio, E. E., Hwang, J., Barcelona, J. M., Glowacki, E. M., Calvert, H. G., & Nicksic, H. M. (2014) · Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development · doi:10.1111/mono.12133 · Cited by 91
Physical Activity and the Achievement Gap Among Urban Minority Youth
Basch, C. E. (2011) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00637.x · Cited by 84
The Impact of a Physical Activity Intervention Program on Academic Achievement in a Swedish Elementary School Setting
Käll, L. B., Nilsson, M., & Linden, T. K. A. (2014) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/josh.12179 · Cited by 87
Healthy & Ready to Learn: Examining the Efficacy of an Early Approach to Obesity Prevention and School Readiness
Winter, S. M., & Sass, D. A. (2011) · Journal of Research in Childhood Education · doi:10.1080/02568543.2011.580211 · Cited by 81
“Motor skill development enables children to be physically active, a condition associated with lower obesity rates and greater academic success (Carlson et al., 2008; Trost, 2008).”
BackgroundInfluential
The associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and academic performance
Maher, C., Lewis, L., Katzmarzyk, P. T., Dumuid, D., Cassidy, L., & Olds, T. (2016) · Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport · doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2016.02.010 · Cited by 80
Why do young women drop out of sport and physical activity? A social ecological approach
Craike, M. J., Symons, C. M., & Zimmermann, J. A. M. (2009) · Annals of Leisure Research · doi:10.1080/11745398.2009.9686816 · Cited by 80
“This view is counterproductive, as recent evidence suggests that higher amounts of physical education may be associated with an academic benefit (Carlson et al., 2008).”
Background
Influence of the quality implementation of a physical education curriculum on the physical development and physical fitness of children
Starc, G., & Strel, J. (2012) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-61 · Cited by 95
“In addition, there are also numerous other benefits of physical activity on children’s psychological development [3-5], lifestyle development [6-8], social development [9,10] and cognitive development [11-13].”
Background
Physical activity and academic achievement across the curriculum (A + PAAC): rationale and design of a 3-year, cluster-randomized trial
Donnelly, J. E., Greene, J. L., Gibson, C., Sullivan, D. K., Hansen, D. M., Hillman, C. H., Poggio, J. P., Mayo, M. S., SMITH, B. K., Lambourne, K., et al. (2013) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-307 · Cited by 83
“However, results from the few available prospective studies on this topic are mixed [3-6].”
Background
Physical activity, physical fitness and academic achievement in adolescents: a self-organizing maps approach
Pellicer-Chenoll, M., García‐Massó, X., Morales, J., Serra‐Añó, P., Solana–Tramunt, M., González, L.-M., & Toca-Herrera, J. L. (2015) · Health Education Research · doi:10.1093/her/cyv016 · Cited by 93
Influence of a physical education plan on psychomotor development profiles of preschool children
Costa, H. J. T., Abelairas‐Gómez, C., Arufe-Giráldez, V., Couto, J. M. P., & Barcala‐Furelos, R. (2015) · Journal of Human Sport and Exercise · doi:10.14198/jhse.2015.101.11 · Cited by 77
“The studies of Carlson et al. (2008), Dexter (1999) and Tremarche et al. (2007) examined relations between physical education and academic achievement and found positive outcomes.”
Background
A Whole School Approach: Collaborative Development of School Health Policies, Processes, and Practices
Hunt, P. C., Barrios, L. C., Telljohann, S. K., & Mazyck, D. (2015) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/josh.12305 · Cited by 75
A Matter of Balance: Motor Control is Related to Children’s Spatial and Proportional Reasoning Skills
Frick, A., & Möhring, W. (2016) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.02049 · Cited by 83
“Other research (Carlson et al., 2008) found that the number of hours of physical education per week was associated with higher mathematics performance in female (but not male) kindergarteners and first-graders.”
Background
Examining the Impact of 45 Minutes of Daily Physical Education on Cognitive Ability, Fitness Performance, and Body Composition of African American Youth
Reed, J. A., Maslow, A. L., Long, S., & Hughey, M. (2013) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.10.2.185 · Cited by 66
Linear/Nonlinear Relations of Activity and Fitness with Children’s Academic Achievement
Hansen, D. M., Herrmann, S. D., Lambourne, K., Lee, J., & Donnelly, J. E. (2014) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000000362 · Cited by 72
“In general, published research indicates a positive, or at worst, a null association of PA and aerobic fitness with AA (1,5,9,10).”
Background
The Association between Health Behaviours and Academic Performance in Canadian Elementary School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
McIsaac, J. D., Kirk, S., & Kuhle, S. (2015) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph121114857 · Cited by 67
“Research measuring physical fitness has also demonstrated a linkage with school performance [11,20,21] with aerobic exercises appearing to yield the largest impact on children’s cognitive outcomes [11,21].”
Background
The Cascading Effects of Externalizing Behaviors and Academic Achievement Across Developmental Transitions: Implications for Prevention and Intervention
Okano, L., Jeon, L., Crandall, A., Powell, T. W., & Riley, A. G. (2019) · Prevention Science · doi:10.1007/s11121-019-01055-9 · Cited by 63
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDREN
Toit, D. D., Pienaar, A. E., & Truter, L. (2011) · Boloka Institutional Repository (North-west University) · Cited by 62
Morningness‐eveningness and physical activity in adolescents
Schaal, S., Peter, M., & Randler, C. (2010) · International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1080/1612197x.2010.9671939 · Cited by 60
“Also, cognitive performance and development is associated with regular physical activity (Bjorklund & Brown, 1998; Carlson et al., 2008; Diamond, 2000; Draganski & Glaser, 2004; Graf et al., 2003; Kidd, 1999; Minton, 2003; Olds, 1994; Sallis, 1997; Sallis et al., 1999, Van Boxtel et al., 1997) and there is ample evide…”
Background
Implementing Childhood Obesity Policy in a New Educational Environment: The Cases of Mississippi and Tennessee
Amis, J., Wright, P. M., Dyson, B. P., Vardaman, J. M., & Ferry, H. (2012) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.2011.300414 · Cited by 62
Children’s School Readiness
Pagani, L. S., & Fitzpatrick, C. (2013) · Health Education & Behavior · doi:10.1177/1090198113478818 · Cited by 71
“Parents reported the frequency with which children consumed the following during a regular week (Carlson et al., 2008; Nelson, 2007): soft drinks; sweet snacks (with high sugar content); fruits and vegetables; and dairy products.”
Background
An international systematic literature review of test anxiety interventions 2011–2018
Soares, D., & Woods, K. (2020) · Pastoral Care in Education · doi:10.1080/02643944.2020.1725909 · Cited by 59
Self-regulatory mode (locomotion and assessment), well-being (subjective and psychological), and exercise behavior (frequency and intensity) in relation to high school pupils’ academic achievement
Garcia, D., Jimmefors, A., Mousavi, F., Adrianson, L., Rosenberg, P., & Archer, T. (2015) · PeerJ · doi:10.7717/peerj.847 · Cited by 59
The effect of stand-biased desks on academic engagement: an exploratory study
Dornhecker, M., Blake, J. J., Benden, M. E., Zhao, H., & Wendel, M. L. (2015) · International Journal of Health Promotion and Education · doi:10.1080/14635240.2015.1029641 · Cited by 67
“…academic time as a result of greater involvement in PE classes and activities, numerous studies have investigated the positive effects of physical activity involvement on academic achievement and classroom behavior (Carlson et al. 2008; Coe et al. 2006; Nicholson et al. 2011; Sallis et al. 1999).”
Background
Exercise Improves Academic Performance
Cappelen, A. W., Charness, G., Ekström, M., Uri Gneezy, B., & Tungodden, B. (2025) · Journal of Political Economy · doi:10.1086/738251 · Cited by 60
The primary schoolteacher and physical education: a review of research and implications for Irish physical education
Fletcher, T., & Mandigo, J. (2012) · Irish Educational Studies · doi:10.1080/03323315.2012.710063 · Cited by 53
“For example, when children engage in physical activity it can actually increase their academic achievement (Carlson et al., 2008).”
Background
Recess, physical education, and elementary school student outcomes
Dills, A. K., Morgan, H. N., & Rotthoff, K. W. (2011) · Economics of Education Review · doi:10.1016/j.econedurev.2011.04.011 · Cited by 62
Aerobic Fitness Thresholds Associated with Fifth Grade Academic Achievement
Wittberg, R. A., Cottrell, L., Davis, C. L., & Northrup, K. L. (2010) · American Journal of Health Education · doi:10.1080/19325037.2010.10599155 · Cited by 56
Physically Active Play and Cognition An Academic Matter
Sattelmair, J. R., & Ratey, J. J. (2009) · Cited by 52
Health Literacy Teaching Beliefs, Attitudes, Efficacy, and Intentions of Middle School Health and Physical Education Teachers
Lai, H., Wu, D., Lee, P., & Jhang, Y. (2018) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/josh.12615 · Cited by 49
Stand der Forschung zum Zusammenhang von Gesundheit und Bildung
Dadaczynski, K. (2012) · Zeitschrift für Gesundheitspsychologie · doi:10.1026/0943-8149/a000072 · Cited by 53
The health Oriented pedagogical project (HOPP) - a controlled longitudinal school-based physical activity intervention program
Fredriksen, P. M., Hjelle, O. P., Mamen, A., Meza, T. J., & Westerberg, A. C. (2017) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4282-z · Cited by 49
“[8] had a cross-sectional design [56–65], few were interventional studies [18, 66–68], and a only two had a longitudinal design [18, 59].”
Background
The Effects of Maximal Intensity Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Children
Samuel, R. D., Zavdy, O., Levav, M., Reuveny, R., Katz, U., & Dubnov‐Raz, G. (2017) · Journal of Human Kinetics · doi:10.1515/hukin-2017-0050 · Cited by 52
“A number of observational studies in children have shown a positive correlation between PA, or physical fitness, and academic achievements (Carlson et al., 2008; Singh et al., 2012; Tomporowski, 2003; Tomporowski et al., 2008).”
Background
Physical Activity and Cognition: Inseparable in the Classroom
Doherty, A., & Miravalles, A. F. I. (2019) · Frontiers in Education · doi:10.3389/feduc.2019.00105 · Cited by 65
Sweat so you don’t forget: Exercise breaks during a University Lecture increase on-task attention and learning.
Fenesi, B., Lucibello, K., Kim, J. A., & Heisz, J. J. (2018) · Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.jarmac.2018.01.012 · Cited by 45
Associated Trends in Sedentary Behavior and BMI Among Chinese School Children and Adolescents in Seven Diverse Chinese Provinces
Zhang, J., Seo, D., Kolbe, L. J., Middlestadt, S. E., & Zhao, W. (2011) · International Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12529-011-9177-2 · Cited by 47
“emerging body of evidence which suggests that physical activity does not appear to negatively affect academic performance and that evidence also indicates associations between physical activity and reduced incidence of depression, anxiety, and fatigue [36, 37].”
Background
The Effect of Physical Activity on Cognitive Performance in an Italian Elementary School: Insights From a Pilot Study Using Structural Equation Modeling
Padulo, J., Bragazzi, N. L., Giorgio, A. D., Grgantov, Z., Prato, S., & Ardigò, L. P. (2019) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00202 · Cited by 50
Girls on the Run: A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of a Developmentally Focused Youth Sport Program
Gabriel, K. K. P., DeBate, R. D., High, R., & Racine, E. F. (2011) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.8.s2.s285 · Cited by 44
Sixty Minutes of Physical Activity per Day Included Within Preschool Academic Lessons Improves Early Literacy
Kirk, S. M., & Kirk, E. P. (2016) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/josh.12363 · Cited by 44
The Influence of a Structured Physical Education Plan on Preschool Children's Psychomotor Development Profiles
Costa, H. J. T., Barcala‐Furelos, R., Abelairas‐Gómez, C., & Arufe-Giráldez, V. (2015) · Australasian Journal of Early Childhood · doi:10.1177/183693911504000209 · Cited by 49
“The studies of Carlson et al. (2008), Dexter (1999) and Tremarche, Robinson and Graham (2007) examined associations between physical education and academic achievement and found positive results.”
Background
Effect of Gender, Physical Activity and Stress-Related Hormones on Adolescent’s Academic Achievements
Alghadir, A., Gabr, S., & Iqbal, Z. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17114143 · Cited by 43
“Some of them show positive effects in girls [78] while others in boys [79].”
Background
Preparing Educators to Promote and Provide Physical Activity in Schools
Castelli, D. M., Centeio, E. E., & Nicksic, H. M. (2013) · American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine · doi:10.1177/1559827613490488 · Cited by 41
“However, some have argued that student achievement is not simply associated with increased teacher quality but also associated with health status,(11) physical fitness,(12-14) physical activity,(15-17) and healthy body weight.(18) A robust body of literature has causally linked these behaviors and traits to cognitive…”
Background
The Effect of Integrating Movement into the Learning Environment of Kindergarten Children on their Academic Achievements
Shoval, E., Sharir, T., Arnon, M., & Tenenbaum, G. (2017) · Early Childhood Education Journal · doi:10.1007/s10643-017-0870-x · Cited by 46
Correlates of Children and Parents Being Physically Active Together
Lee, S. M., Nihiser, A. J., Strouse, D. L., Das, B., Michael, S., & Huhman, M. E. (2010) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.7.6.776 · Cited by 41
Self-citation
Physical activity levels during Dutch primary and secondary school physical education
Singerland, M., Oomen, J., & Borghouts, L. B. (2011) · European Journal of Sport Science · doi:10.1080/17461391.2010.506661 · Cited by 45
“Increased PE time has even been found to yield higher academic achievement (Carlson et al, 2008 , Sibley & Etnier, 2003 ).”
Background
What effect on learning does increasing the proportion of curriculum time allocated to physical education have? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Dudley, D., & Burden, R. (2020) · European Physical Education Review · doi:10.1177/1356336x19830113 · Cited by 39
“Of the six studies whose quality was assessed by using the methodological quality assessment items adapted from van Slujis et al (2007), only three of the six papers met five or more of the assessment criteria (Ardoy et al., 2014; Carlson et al., 2008; Reed et al., 2013).”
BackgroundMethod
Physically active Chilean school kids perform better in language and mathematics
Correa‐Burrows, P., Burrows, R. A., Ibaceta, C. V., Orellana, Y. Z., & Ivanovic, D. M. (2014) · Health Promotion International · doi:10.1093/heapro/dau010 · Cited by 43
“Differentials among males were insignificant (Carlson et al., 2008).”
Background
Childhood Markers of Health Behavior Relate to Hippocampal Health, Memory, and Academic Performance
Hassevoort, K. M., Khan, N. A., Hillman, C. H., & Cohen, N. J. (2016) · Mind Brain and Education · doi:10.1111/mbe.12108 · Cited by 44
A Meta-Analysis of the Combined Effects of Motivation, Learning and Personality Traits on Academic Performance
Nauzeer, S., & Jaunky, V. C. (2021) · Pedagogical Research · doi:10.29333/pr/10963 · Cited by 49
High intensity physical education classes and cognitive performance in eighth‐grade students: An applied study
Travlos, A. K. (2010) · International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1080/1612197x.2010.9671955 · Cited by 39
“While the results of early studies were equivocal, recent studies indicated that increased physical activity during the daily school program does not detract from classroom behaviors and may actually be associated with better academic performance (Carlson et al., 2008; Coe, Pivarnik, Womack, Reeves, & Malina, 2006; Sh…”
BackgroundResultInfluential
Physical education and academic achievement—literature review 1997–2015
Zach, S., Shoval, E., & Lidor, R. (2016) · Journal of Curriculum Studies · doi:10.1080/00220272.2016.1234649 · Cited by 39
“Carlson et al. (2008) carried out a longitudinal investigation in which the participants were selected as a representative sample of the national school population in the US.”
Background
Family trip and academic achievement in early childhood
Park, S. Y., Pan, B., & Ahn, J. B. (2019) · Annals of Tourism Research · doi:10.1016/j.annals.2019.102795 · Cited by 34
The effects of physical education on student fitness, achievement, and behavior
Packham, A., & Street, B. (2019) · Economics of Education Review · doi:10.1016/j.econedurev.2019.04.003 · Cited by 47
“2 Moreover, studies evaluating increases school PE time appear to offer some affirmation that such programs can improve student outcomes (Carlson et al., 2008; Tremarche, Robinson, & Graham, 2007).(3) That being said, one concern is that increasing PE requirements takes away important instructional time, which could l…”
BackgroundInfluential
Learning opportunities in the outdoor school–empirical findings on outdoor school in Germany from the children’s perspective
Sahrakhiz, S., Harring, M., & Witte, M. D. (2017) · Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning · doi:10.1080/14729679.2017.1413404 · Cited by 33
“Additionally, physical movement in the school context is believed to have positive effects on the children’s concentration, ability and academic performance (Carlson et al., 2008; Shephard, 1997).”
Background
An exploration of life skill development through sport in three international high schools
Hayden, L. A., Whitley, M. A., Cook, A. L., Dumais, A., Silva, M., & Scherer, A. (2015) · Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health · doi:10.1080/2159676x.2015.1011217 · Cited by 33
“Positive correlations have been reported between youth engaging in school-based physical activity and academic achievement (e.g. Castelli et al. 2007, Carlson et al. 2008, Santiago et al. 2013).”
Background
Association between physical education, school-based physical activity, and academic performance: a systematic review (Asociación entre la educación física, la actividad física en la escuela, y el rendimiento académico: una revisión sistemática)
Marques, A., Gómez, F., Martins, J., Catunda, R., & Sarmento, H. (2017) · Retos · doi:10.47197/retos.v0i31.53509 · Cited by 82
“These results of cross-sectional studies are reinforced by the results of the longitudinal (Carlson et al., 2008) and intervention (Ardoy et al., 2014) studies, in which the increasing number and intensity of physical education sessions per week had a positive effect on academic performance.”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluential
LGBTQ Youths' School Athletic Experiences: A 40-Year Content Analysis in Nine Flagship Journals
Greenspan, S. B., Griffith, C., & Murtagh, E. F. (2017) · Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling · doi:10.1080/15538605.2017.1346492 · Cited by 32
“Secondly, students that engage in physical activity generally demonstrate greater social skills, academic scores, and mental health (Carlson et al., 2008; Craft, 2012; Harrison & Narayan, 2003; Penedo&Dahn, 2005).However, based onGLSEN’s (2013) andGuasp’s (2012) reports, students identifying as LGBTQ may not receive s…”
Background
Physical fitness and academic performance: empirical evidence from the National Administrative Senior High School Student Data in Taiwan
Liao, P., Chang, H., Wang, J., & Wu, M. (2013) · Health Education Research · doi:10.1093/her/cyt041 · Cited by 33
“The stronger relationship between physical fitness and academic performance for female students is consistent with some previous studies [12, 18, 33].”
Result
Cardiorespiratory fitness, but not physical activity, is associated with academic achievement in children and adolescents
Oliveira, T., Pizarro, A. I. N., Costa, M., Fernandes, L. M., Silva, G., Mota, J. A. P. S., & Ribeiro, J. C. (2017) · Annals of Human Biology · doi:10.1080/03014460.2017.1308010 · Cited by 38
“However, some associations are not yet clearly established in children and due to the methodology used, mostly questionnaires, the research results are inconsistent (Ahamed et al., 2007; Carlson et al., 2008; Coe et al., 2006; Howie & Pate, 2012; Sibley & Etnier, 2003).”
Result

Authors: Carlson, S. A., Fulton, J. E., Lee, S. M., Maynard, L. M., Brown, D. R., Kohl, H. W., & Dietz, W. H.
Affiliations: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
ORCID: Carlson, Susan A.
Fulton, Janet E.
Lee, Sarah M.
Dietz, William H.
Venue: American Journal of Public Health
Publisher: American Public Health Association
Published: 2008-04
Volume: 98
Issue: 4
Pages: 721-727
ISSN: 0090-0036 (ISSN-L)
1541-0048
DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2007.117176
PMC: PMC2377002
OpenAlex: W2157033737
Cited by: 368
References: 38
Citations by year: 2026: 1 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 23
FWCI: 59.22
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Locations: American Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Education › Physical Education and Pedagogy
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › School Health and Nursing Education
Keywords: physical education, academic performance, elementary school students, mathematics achievement, reading achievement, sex differences, Early Childhood Longitudinal Study
MeSH terms: Child, Child Welfare, Child, Preschool, Educational Measurement, Female, Humans, Learning, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Mathematics, Motor Activity, Physical Education and Training, Reading, Schools, Sex Factors, Time Factors, Health Behavior, Exercise, Confidence Intervals, Linear Models

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Physical Education and Academic Achievement in Elementary School: Data From the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Related

Metadata

Record

About these checks