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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

Olivia Curtis, Michael Smith, Melissa Powers PhD. and Ed Cunliff PhD; e-mail: mcurtis3@ucol.edu

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine physical activity levels and academic performance among college students. METHODS: The National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey was administered to student volunteers enrolled in a general health education course in the Spring of 2014. Participants were asked to indicate the number of days in the past week they participated in moderate aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes, vigorous activity for at least 20 minutes, and strength training of 8-10 exercises for 8-12 repetitions. GPA was categorized as < 2.0, 2.0 to 3.0 and 3.0 < 4.0. RESULTS: Among students with a GPA < 2.0 with 35.8% participated in 0 days of moderate activity, 39.7% that participated in 0 days of vigorous activity and 58.2% participated in 0 days of resistance training. Percentages of students reporting 0 days of activity were lower among students with a GPA of 2.0 to 3.0 (25.4%, 36.1%, and 42.7% respectively for moderate aerobic, vigorous aerobic, and strength training). Among students indicating a GPA > 3.0, 21.7% reported 0 days of participation in moderate aerobic activity, 36.5% reported 0 days of vigorous aerobic activity, and 43.9% reported 0 days of strength training. Among all GPA categories, the percentage of students indicating participation in physical activities decreased as the number of days increased with the lowest percentages reported for 7 days. CONCLUSION: Students with a GPA < 2.0 were more likely to report 0 days of moderate aerobic, vigorous aerobic, and strength training than students with higher GPAs. The data also suggests that students with a higher GPA are more likely to be physically active with the strongest trend existing for moderate aerobic activity. These results, while preliminary, support the potential link between physical activity and academic performance. Future studies utilizing experimental design and gathering of objective physical activity and GPA data are recommended. These results, while preliminary, support the potential link between physical activity and academic performance. Future studies utilizing experimental design and gathering of objective physical activity and GPA data are recommended.

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