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

Items 301–367 of 367

#Physical Activity: Influencing Parent Behavior Change Through Social Media
Keath, A. J. (2017) · doi:10.33915/etd.5952 · Cited by 1
Step to it – can physical activity improve kids’ cognition? A six-month longitudinal studyPreprint
McPherson, A., Duncan, S., Mackay, L. M., & Kunkel, J. (2024) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-5425164/v1 · Cited by 1
What do we measure? understanding how leadership measures the benefits of after-school physical activities in the continuation school setting
Conklin, E. R. (2011) · John Spoor Broome Library Institutional Repository (California State University)
Evaluation of Implementation of Coordinated School Health Policies in Lamar Consolidated Independent School District
Long, M. (2015) · Digital Collections of Colorado (Colorado State University) · doi:10.15786/13686469.v1
Sedentary behaviour in New Zealand primary school children
Aminian, S. (2014) · Tuwhera (Auckland University of Technology)
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FITNESS LEVELS, SELF-EFFICACY, AND LOCUS OF CONTROL ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
Attoh, P. A., & Philmon, V. M. (2015) · European Scientific Journal ESJ
EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA NO CURRÍCULO ESCOLAR: PARA QUE SERVE? QUE OPÇÕES EXISTEM? O QUE QUEREMOS ESCOLHER?
Marques, A., & Catunda, R. (2015) · Fiep Bulletin - online · doi:10.16887/85.a2.132
USING TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING AS A FRAMEWORK TO EXPLORE WOMEN AND RUNNING
Hayduk, D. M. (2011) · ProQuest LLC eBooks
Children's Enjoyment of a Physical Activity Incorporated into the School Day
McGhee, R. D. (2013) · KU ScholarWorks (University of Kansas)
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF SPORT AND ELITE ATHLETICS ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES? A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Bennett, T., & Lipman, E. L. (2008)
PhysicalEducation,Obesity,andAcademicAchievement:A 2-YearLongitudinalInvestigationofAustralianElementary SchoolChildren
Telford, R. D., Cunningham, R. B., Fitzgerald, R., OLIVE, L. S., Prosser, L., Jiang, X., & Telford, R. M. (2012)
RESEARCH TITLE: Relationship Among Physical Activity, Self Esteem,
Graham, Z. (2010)
Putting Physical Activity Where It Fits in the School Day: Preliminary Results of the ABC (Activity Bursts in the Classroom) for Fitness Program ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Katz, D. L., Cushman, D. M., Reynolds, J., Njike, V. Y., Treu, J. A., Walker, J., Smith, E., & Katz, C. S. (2010)
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL OF PRIMARY-SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD A PHYSICAL EDUCATION LESSON
Yoncalik, O., Tanır, H., Kutlu, M., Vali, M., & Çetinkaya, N. (2010)
The Effect of Regular Physical Activity on Academic Achievement: A Study of High School Students in Sari
Zarei, M. (2014)
Relação entre a Actividade Física e o Rendimento Escolar
de Oliveira, H. S. (2009)
Examining the Impact of Daily Physical Education on Perceptual Speed among Underserved Elementary and Middle School Youth
Reed, J. A., & Kilpatrick, E. P. (2015) · International Journal of School and Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.4172/2469-9837.1000140
“[32] investigated the link between time spent in physical education and academic achievement from data collected on children from kindergarten through 5th grade and found a significant increase in academic achievement in math and reading among girls enrolled in higher amounts of weekly physical education.”
Background
The Relationship Between Physical Fitness and School Performance in Middle School Girls
Donnelly, J. A. (2016) · ScholarWorks (Walden University)
The longitudinal effect of traumatic stress and attachment difficulties on academic achievement for young children
Wolfgang, J. D. (2013) · ProQuest LLC eBooks
The Relationship Between Middle School Students' Perceptions of Physical Activity, Student Engagement, and Academic Achievement
Moretti, J. D. (2012) · Digital Commons - DU (University of Denver)
PROGRAMAS DE INTERVENCIÓN PARA MEJORAR LOS NIVELES DE ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA EN NIÑOS DE NIVEL EDUCATIVO BÁSICO E INTERMEDIO: UNA REVISIÓN SISTEMÁTICA INTERVENTION PROGRAMS TO INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG ELEMENTARY AND HIGHSCHOOL CHILDREN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Pacheco, Á. F. G., & Pozo, M. D. R. H. (2012)
Relação entre atividade física e desportiva, níveis de IMC, perce- ções de sucesso e rendimento escolar Relation between sport and physical activity, BMI levels, perceptions of suc- cess and academic performance
Bastos, F., Reis, V. M., Aranha, Á. C. M., & Garrido, N. D. (2015)
Narrative inquiry into the lives of physical education teachers: in pursuit of physical literacy
Leiss, J. (2016) · K-State Research Exchange (Kansas State University)
Healthy Schools Initiative: Implementation Study in Four San Mateo County School Districts.
Westrich, L., Sanchez, M., Strobel, K. R., & Duong, N. (2012)
About forming of personality physical culture of students in the process of physical education (in aspect of presence of abilities)
Belykh, S. I., & Черниговская, С. А. (2013) · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)
The relationship between Head Start teachers' attitudes about physical activity promotion and their implementation of activities that promote physical activity
Cox, C. (2014) · Digital Repository Service (Northeastern University) · doi:10.17760/d20213362
An Exploratory Study to Examine the Relationship between Academic Achievement and Physical Activity of Girls in Grades Three to Seven Participating in a Community-based Physical Activity Program
Whittle, K. (2011) · Library and Archives Canada (Government of Canada)
4 Minutes of In-Class High-Intensity Interval Activity Improves Classroom Behaviour and Selective Attention in Elementary School Children
Ma, J. K. (2014) · QSpace (Queen's University Library)
A County-Wide Approach to Coordinated School Health in
County, P., & Drummond, R. A. (2012)
Structured Recess: Finding a Way to Make It Work
Scudieri, D., & Schwager, S. (2017) · Journal of Physical Education Recreation & Dance · doi:10.1080/07303084.2017.1280437
“In addition, there is ample research evidence to support the importance of physical activity as a vehicle for enhancing children’s cognitive functioning (Carlson et al., 2008; Castelli, Hillman, Buck, & Erwin, 2007).”
Background
Los mecanismos fisiológicos, sus efectos a nivel cerebral, en las funciones cognitivas y en el rendimiento académico escolar
Cigarroa, I., & Zapata‐Lamana, R. (2015) · Archivos de Neurociencias · doi:10.31157/an.v20i1.70
Impacto en el Proceso Cognitivo de la Atención, de un Programa de Actividad Física Basado en Exergames, en Escolares Entre 13 y 16 Años En Bogotá.
Gómez, M. C. (2017) · Universidad Santo Tomás eBooks · doi:10.15332/tg.mae.2017.00367
Bases biológicas de la actividad física como herramienta de prevención en riesgos laborales
Martinez, J. A., & Mirquez, I. F. (2017) · Revista Colombiana de Salud Ocupacional · doi:10.18041/2322-634x/rc_salud_ocupa.1.2017.4950
Investigating the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Cognition in Children
McPherson, A. (2018) · Tuwhera (Auckland University of Technology)
Association of Physical Activity and Academic Performance in Schoolchildren of Nepal
Basnet, R. M., & Basnet, L. M. (2017) · Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences · doi:10.33607/bjshs.v3i106.29
“Likewise, a study done in the United States found a positive association of PA and AP among females, while no such association was found among males (Carlson et al., 2008).”
Background
Healthy Choices and their Associations with Academic Achievement and Future School Plans
Cabrera, J. C., Karl, S. R., & Rodriguez, M. C. (2016) · University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy (University of Minnesota)
The Effect of Increased Physical Activity on Academic Performance
Willis, L. M. (2019) · UKnowledge (University of Kentucky) · doi:10.13023/etd.2019.072
“Studies have shown that physical activity levels decline consistently through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood (Bartholomew & Jowers, 2011; Bunketorp et al., 2015; Carlson et al., 2008; Fedewa & Ahn, 2011; Lee, Burgeson, Fulton & Spain, 2007; Sibley & Etnier, 2003; Stone et al., 1998).”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluential
The Correlation between Physical Activity and Grade Point Average
McCoy, A. (2019) · Aquila Digital Community (University of Southern Mississippi)
Physical fitness and physical activity level in school going adolescent children
Nagrale, S., Jiandani, M., & Mehta, A. (2020) · International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health · doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20200953
THE DYNAMIC INTERPLAY OF SOCIO-EMOTIONAL AND ACADEMIC FUNCTIONING FROM ELEMENTARY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL: AN ANALYSIS OF CASCADE EFFECTS
Okano, L. (2018)
Relationship between physical fitness and attitude for sports, school life, academic achievement, and parenting attitude in elementary school children.
Nakano, T., Shimizu, N., & Kasuga, K. (2021) · Japan Journal of Human Growth and Development Research · doi:10.5332/hatsuhatsu.2021.90_18
Influential Research Articles Involving Physical Education: A Bibliometric Analysis
Wyant, J., Keath, A., Tsuda, E., & Baek, J.-H. (2021) · Journal of Physical Education and Sports Management · doi:10.15640/jpesm.v8n1a1
Exploration of Difference Parents Perspectives when Choosing a School for Children in Bangladesh
Kamrujjaman, & Obaydullah, A. K. M. (2021) · International journal of advance research and innovative ideas in education
The Impact the Amount of High School Physical Education has on the Physical Activity Habits of Traditional College Freshman
Thompson, A. (2014) · Digital Commons - Olivet Distinctive Heritage, Scholarship, & Creativity (Olivet Nazarene University)
Active in elementary school? an analysis of state physical education laws and academic achievement
Stegemoeller, I. L. (2013) · DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library)
EXAMINING THE AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN AL-JAHRA CITY, KUWAIT
Alshammari, S. (2014)
Effects of High Intensity Interval Training Using Ifittkids Module on Memory Strength, Attention and Aerobic Capacity
Lohonathan, V., Azmi, S. H., & Rahim, N. A. (2021) · International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences · doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i12/11826
Psychologie de la discrimination et des préjugés
(2018) · De Boeck Supérieur eBooks · doi:10.3917/dbu.fanik.2018.01.0263
Brain Imaging: A Mirror for Mild Cognitive Impairment Identification
Singh, V., Mishra, V. N., Chaurasia, R., & Joshi, D. (2019) · Research Journal of Life Sciences Bioinformatics Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences · doi:10.26479/2019.0501.37
Lecciones activas: efectos de un programa escolar de actividad física mediante bike desks en adolescentes = Physically active lessons: effects of a school-based physical activity program using bike desks in adolescents
Polo-Recuero, B. (2021) · UPM Digital Archive (Technical University of Madrid) · doi:10.20868/upm.thesis.66468 · Cited by 1
Peer Review #3 of "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 (v0.1)"
(2015) · PeerJ · doi:10.7287/peerj.847v0.1/reviews/3
The Impact of Different Game Types and Sports on College Students' Physical Activity and Motivation in Basic Instruction Program Settings
Song, Y. (2017) · doi:10.33915/etd.6691
Human Performance Variability: An Evolutionary Perspective
Smith, T. J., Henning, R. A., Wade, M. G., & Fisher, T. (2014) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/b17319-15
Designing an Innovative Ecosystem for Student Success: Kennesaw State University Wellstar College of Health and Human Services’ Conceptual Model
Wade-Berg, J. A., Baxter, D. S., Wright, L. S., Porter, K. J., Dyess, S. M., & Swahn, M. H. (2023) · Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice · doi:10.33423/jhetp.v23i9.6146 · Cited by 2
The research status and development trend of children health education
Wang, D. (2022) · Advances in General Practice of Medicine · doi:10.25082/agpm.2022.01.007
“Studies have pointed out that there is a positive relationship between academic performance and the frequency of participation in school sports activities [13] and off-campus sports activities have no negative impact on academic standard test scores.”
Background
Influence of Physical Activity, SES`, Perceived Safety, and Demographic Factors on the GPA of Latinx Students: Results from the High School Longitudinal Study
Weston, R. E., Zeng, H. Z., & Archimandritis, J. (2023) · International Journal of Research in Education and Science · doi:10.46328/ijres.3309
Integrating machine learning and Bayesian statistics in spatial small area analysis: Methods and application
Draidi, W. (2024) · Queensland University of Technology · doi:10.5204/thesis.eprints.248930
Multidimensional Risk and Resilience Factors in Urban Youth with Unhealthy Weight
Capawana, M. R. (2024) · Journal of Applied School Psychology · doi:10.1080/15377903.2024.2374725
“Child health—and obesity in particular—has a strong connection with behaviors, cognitions, and emotions associated with learning, the effects of which are evident in schools (Carlson et al., 2008; Yu, 2021).”
Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement: A Case of Kathmandu Valley
Thapa, S. (2024) · Nepalese journal of economics. · doi:10.3126/nje.v8i2.68808 · Cited by 1
In Eternal Pursuit of the American Dream: Evidence of Racially Demarcated Disparities in Sports, Educational and Health Domains
Proctor, L. D. (2025) · Journal of Higher Education Athletics Labor & Innovation · doi:10.15763/issn.3065-7369.2025.1.2.19-41
“Regular participation in physical education is associated with an educational benefit (Carlson et al., 2008).”
Evaluating propensity score models for estimating causal mediation effects under unmeasured cluster-level confounding
McCann, C., & Liu, X. (2025) · Health Services and Outcomes Research Methodology · doi:10.1007/s10742-025-00352-x · Cited by 1
Step to It: Exploring Longitudinal Associations Between Physical Activity and Cognition in Children
McPherson, A., Kunkel, J., Mackay, L. M., Garrett, N., Duncan, S., & McPherson, C. (2025) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.2025-0103 · Cited by 2
High School Pupils’ Academic Achievement, Self-regulation (Locomotion and Assessment), and Psychological Well-BeingPreprint
Garcia, D., Jimmefors, A., Adrianson, L., Mousavi, F., Rosenberg, P., & Archer, T. (2014) · doi:10.7287/peerj.preprints.219v1
Effect of Structured Physical Education Program on Psychomotor Skill Development of School Going ChildrenPreprint
Sharma, N., & Raut, T. S. (2024) · Social Science Research Network · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4842097
Physical Education Research Trends during Pre-Pandemic and Pandemic Period
Peñas, J. D. D., & Anito, J. C. (2025) · Asian Journal of Interdisciplinary Research · doi:10.54392/ajir25411
“…works have also shown a clear connection between physical activity and doing well in school as physically active children usually show better focus, memory, and classroom performance (Basch, 2011; Carlson et al., 2008; Senthil Kumar et al., 2015; Trudeau & Shephard, 2008; Zheng & Zheng, 2023).”
Okul Öncesi Dönemde Kazanılan Psikomotor Becerilerin Mimarlık Öğrencileri Örnekleminde İncelenmesi
Üner, D. G. (2026) · Tykhe Sanat ve Tasarım Dergisi · doi:10.55004/tykhe.1868048
Childhood Obesity: Solutions to a Growing Problem
Schaub, J. P. (2014) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-0548-5_9

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