Graduation Date
Summer 2017
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology, option Teaching/Coaching
Committee Chair Name
Rock Braithwaite
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Chris Hopper
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Sean Healy
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Fourth Committee Member Name
Justin Ortega
Fourth Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Physical Fitness, Academic Achievement, Relationship
Subject Categories
Kinesiology
Abstract
There is an abundance of research showing significant positive relationships between academic achievement and physical fitness. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between academic achievement and different levels of physical fitness. The participants were 283 7th grade students from a small, rural middle school in Northern California during 2011/12, 2012/13, 2014/15 academic school years. Academic achievement data came from the STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) test and CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Learning and Progress) test. Physical fitness data came from the FITNESSGRAM Physical Fitness Test. A MANOVA was performed on the academic achievement and physical fitness data. Using Pillai’s Trace, there was not a significant difference between groups (number of fitness tests passed) and language arts and math achievement scores, ν = .012, F(4, 560) = .838, p = .502. The results of this study do not confirm a significant positive relationship between academic achievement and physical fitness as demonstrated by prior research. Some variables that may have influenced results in the current study include higher student achievement and higher student Socio-Economic Status compared to statewide levels. The current study examined academic achievement and overall physical fitness, instead of examining certain aspects of physical fitness that have been shown to have the strongest correlation with academic achievement. Furthermore, low physical fitness performance standards, and the cross-sectional nature of the study, may have influenced results. Further research is needed into variables that influence student achievement as well determining amounts of vigorous physical activity and levels of physical fitness needed to produce desirable results.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Pauls, David, "The differences in academic achievement in fit, healthy, and unfit 7th grade students" (2017). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 64.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/64