March 31, 2021, 12:31 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

Are athletic children better in school? Researchers have once again explored this question. Indeed, what is known as “cardiorespiratory” fitness appears to have a measurable impact on cognitive performance.

Athletic Children Are Better in School

Cardiorespiratory fitness refers to the fitness of the cardiovascular system. The team from the University of Geneva examined whether and how the condition status affects academic performance. The result: Athletic children showed better cognitive abilities and received better grades.

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Study Procedure

The researchers collaborated with 193 children from a total of eight elementary schools for the study. These children were between eight and twelve years old.

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Test to Determine Athleticism

To assess the endurance of the participants, they conducted a “Shuttle Run Test” with the children, which team athletes might be familiar with.

The multi-stage fitness test works by having participants run back and forth as often as possible within a 20-meter marked track. The pace is set by a rhythm provided by the test leaders–when a special signal sound is heard, one must have reached one of the two endpoints of the track–this is gradually increased.

The researchers then compared the results from the “Shuttle Run Test” with various physical characteristics (height, age, weight, gender), explains study author Marc Yangüez in the study documentation in the scientific journal “Science Daily.” This is how he and his team determined the cardiovascular fitness of the children.

Part 2 of the Study: Cognitive Tasks

Subsequently, the study leaders conducted nine different tasks with the young participants. These helped explore essential mental skills of the schoolchildren. For example, the ability to focus and filter out distractions. In the study documentation, this factor is referred to as “inhibition.” It also involved the “cognitive flexibility” of the schoolchildren, meaning their multitasking ability. Lastly, it was important how well they could store learned information and apply it to other areas.

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Inclusion of School Report Cards

Finally, the researchers also considered the children’s most recent school report cards. These were provided by the parents of the participants.

Result: Better Grades for Athletic Children

Upon reviewing all the data, the researchers found: Athletic students with good cardiorespiratory fitness achieved better grades in school than non-athletic ones. Specifically in the subjects of mathematics and French. The latter especially allows conclusions about the participants’ comprehension and expressive abilities, it is said.

Furthermore, the researchers associated an influence of athleticism on the neurological “executive functions” of the students. This refers to the entirety of their cognitive ability.

Benefits of the Study Results

The results highlight one main point: that promoting students’ athleticism plays a significant role in stable academic performance. The connection between physical endurance and grades exists “indirectly” through improved cognitive abilities. And fostering these abilities is known to benefit individuals well beyond their school years.