Is there an effect of level of cardiorespiratory fitness on academic achievement and executive functioning in Dutch primary school children?

Dekker, M. (Marlies) (2012) Is there an effect of level of cardiorespiratory fitness on academic achievement and executive functioning in Dutch primary school children? thesis, Human Movement Sciences.

Text DekkerM.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (17MB)

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to i) investigate whether level of cardiorespiratory fitness has an effect on academic achievement, ii) investigate whether level of cardiorespiratory fitness has an effect on executive functioning and iii) to investigate whether the possible effect of cardiorespiratqry fitness on executive functioning can partially explain the effect of cardiorespiratory fitness on academic achievement. The study population consisted of 266 children {135 boys, 131 girls) aged 6- 11 years from primary schools in the northern region of the Netherlands. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with the 20M Shuttle Run Test. Reading (EMT) and mathematics (TTR) were used as measures of academic achievement. Planning ability (Tower of London), cognitive flexibility (Trailmaking A + B), inhibition (Stroop Color Word Test) and working memory (Digit span backwards and visual memory span backwards) were used as measures of executive functioning. A MANOVA analysis showed no effect of cardiorespiratory fitness on either academic achievement or executive functioning in boys. In girls, cardiorespiratory fitness effected academic achievement, more specifically, cardiorespiratory fitness has an effect on mathematic performance in girls (F {2,126) = 5.91, p < 0.01, partial 112 = 0.09), but not on reading performance (F {2,126) = 0.99, p = 0.38, partial 112 = 0.02). Higher fit girls showed better mathematic performance than medium fit and lower fit girls. No effect was found on cardiorespiratory fitness level on executive functioning in girls. Furthermore, cognitive flexibility and working memory were significant predictors of academic achievement in boys and girls. In addition, planning ability was also a significant predictor of academic achievement in girls. After controlling for these executive functions, the effect of cardiorespiratory fitness on academic achievement in girls was maintained (F(4,244) = 3.08, p < 0.05, partial 112 = 0.05). In conclusion, increasing physical fitness by participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity in children is not only beneficial for general health, but may also be beneficial for academic achievement. Further research should examine possible mechanisms behind this relationship.

Item Type:	Thesis (Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Supervisors: and Hartman, dr. E. & and Smith, dr. J. and Master Graduation Research Project and Center for Human Movement Sciences and Groningen
Faculty:	Medical Sciences
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2020 10:40
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2020 10:40
URI:	https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/152

Actions (login required)

View Item