Looking for new active methods to improve the school performance: Physical activity!

Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences, University of Jaen, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, Jaen, Spain

^a Corresponding author: arariza@ujaen.es

Abstract

The practice of physical activity (PA) has recently been used as a stimulant to improve the cognitive performance in young people and to have positive repercussions on the academic performance [2]. The aims of this research were to conceptualize the relationship between PA and cognition, as well as to associate different physical qualities with better or worse school performance, and thus to be able to make decisions about the kind of PA more adequate to foment from the educative and familiar areas. Our findings are in line with previous literature, and show that a higher physical fitness is associated with better school performance. In conclusion, our study suggests that it is necessary to strengthen the daily PA practice within school context, as well as to raise awareness among families and society about PA promotion.