The impact of physical activity and fitness on academic achievement andcognitive performance in children

摘要

The potential for physical activity and fitness to improve cognitive function,learning and academic achievement in children has received attention byresearchers and policy makers. This paper reports a systematic approach toidentification, analysis and review of published studies up to early 2009. A three-step search method was adopted to identify studies that used measures of physicalactivity or fitness to assess either degree of association with or effect on a)academic achievement and b) cognitive performance. A total of 18 studiesincluding one randomised control trial, six quasi-experimental and 11 correla-tional studies were included for data extraction. No studies meeting criteria thatexamined the links between physical activity and cognitive function were found.Weak positive associations were found between both physical activity and fitnessand academic achievement and fitness and elements of cognitive function, but thiswas not supported by intervention studies. There is insufficient evidence toconclude that additional physical education time increases academic achievement;however there is no evidence that it is detrimental. The quality and depth of theevidence base is limited. Further research with rigour beyond correlational studiesis essential.