Inverted U Associations between Physical Activity and Perceived School Performance of Young Adolescents in HBSC Countries
2Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
3Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
4University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
5University of Turin, Turin, Italy
6Pavol Jozef Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia
7Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
8Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
9University of Jyvaskyla, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland
10University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Background: Regular physical activity and performing well in school are two important aspects of growing adolescents. In this study, the associations between physical activity and perceived school performance (PSP) are examined.
Methods: Data from young adolescents from 42 countries (n = 193,949) in Europe and Canada on self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and PSP were collected in 2013-2014. Multinominal analyses were conducted with reference categories of 0 to 2 days of MVPA and below average PSP. Adjusted (by family affluence) odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were reported for pooled data and individual countries.
Results: More boys participated in daily MVPA than girls, yet overall, girls had better PSP than boys. The associations between MVPA and PSP were inverted U shaped. The strongest association for 5 to 6 days of MVPA was among young adolescents who reported very good PSP (odds ratios = 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.1–2.4).
Conclusions: Young adolescents with average or better PSP took part in 3-7 days of MVPA in a week, suggesting that some MVPA participation was positively associated with PSP. More MVPA, especially for young adolescents with below average PSP, would be beneficial for physical health and school performance.
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