Physical Activity, Physical Fitness and Academic Achievements of Primary School Children

Abstract

Background.The purpose of this study is to estimate physical activity, physical ftness and assessment of mathematical achievements in primary schoolchildren. Methods. The study involved 1st grade students (N = 93), 45 of which were girls and 48 were boys. The flexibility test, the long jump test, 3 × 10 m speed shuttle run test, a medical (stuffed) 1 kg ball pushing from the chest test were used. Physical activity was measured using Children’s Physical Activity Questionnaire. Academic achievements were assessed using Mathematical diagnostic progress tests and mathematical learning achievements according to curriculum content. Results. It turned out that both boys (95.87 MET/min/week) and girls (91.30 MET / min/ week) were physically active in physical education lessons (p > 0.05). Long jump results ranged from 105.2 cm (girls) to 118.3 cm (boys), statistically signifcant differences were detected (p < 0.05) The best score of the girls’ shuttle running 3 × 10 m was 9.55 s, for boys it was 9.2 s, the worst performance time for boys was 13.68 s, for girls – 13.54 s (p < .05). Mathematics Diagnostic Progress Tests for both girls and boys indicated satisfactory levels. Conclusion. We should note that all 4 ftness tests had a positive, linear association with physical ftness testsand mathematics test scores.

Keywords: physical activity, physical ftness, mathematical achievements, academic achievements, primary
education.