Royallit, Dapile
Royallit, Dapile
Royallit, Dapile
RJASS
1. Introduction
Activities involving vigorous physical exertion or the application of rather complicated
physical abilities, driven by personal satisfaction and external reward (Coakley, 2001).
Physical activity, on the other hand, is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO)
(2014) as any physical motions produced by skeletal muscles that need energy expenditure.
This concept broadens the range of activities that can be done to reap the benefits of physical
activity.
Physical activity is any bodily exercise that increases energy expenditure over resting
levels. Sports-related (e.g., basketball, volleyball), work-related (e.g., lifting and moving boxes)
or transportation-related (e.g., gardening) physical exercise can be repetitive, structured and
scheduled (example, walking to school). Grade point averages (GPAs), classroom test scores,
and other formal examinations are examples of academic performance.
The link between children’s physical exercise and academic achievement is currently a
hot topic. Studies on the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement in
children and adolescents show that there is either a positive relationship or no relationship.
Evidence suggests that increased school-based physical activity time does not harm children’s
academic performance. A review also indicated that more evidence is required to support
claims of educational benefits of physical activity. The hypothesis of brain-based learning
helps explain the educational effects of exercise. A growing body of research shows a link
between academic achievement and physical activity. Physical activity is linked to improved
academic achievement in youngsters, according to Chinapaw et al (2012).
Two prior evaluations looked at the impact of exercise on academic achievement.
Trudeau and Shephard (2008) review the research on the link between school-based physical
activity and academic success. The benefits of regular physical activity and fitness are well
known, according to the Department of Health (2004) and the US Department of Health and
Human Services (2008).
Physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, some malignancies,
obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus and is useful in treating several of these disorders (Fox,
2009). Increasing data demonstrates that regular movement and better fitness enhances
psychological well-being (Biddle, Fox & Boutcher, 2001; Biddle & Mutrie, 2008). (2009).
Exercise and/or sport participation has been shown to improve mental health. Exercise,
for example, has been proven to increase children’s physical self-perception and self-esteem
(Fox, 2001), albeit the results are mixed. The benefits of regular physical activity for children’s
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health are widely recognised (Hardman & Stensel, 2009). (WHO, 2010). Physical education is
acknowledged as a location that contributes to increasing children’s physical activity levels
(European Union, 2008; USDHHS, 2008; WHO, 2010).
Moses (2009) stated that persons who engage in physical activity and sports reap many
benefits. A life filled with physical activities develops a dynamic healthy existence as well
as creative personalities, according to him. Activists believe that sports and physical activity
produce a mentally, physically, and medically healthy society.
Education is a cornerstone of any civilised society, and its promotion is vital. Sports
may help academics in several ways. Many studies have shown a positive link between sports
activity and mental health. Sports and physical activity have been shown to be quite effective
in the intellectual growth of participants (Lau, Yu, Lee, So, & Sung, 2004). (Satcher, 2005).
Concerns about education, particularly in developing nations like Ghana, include
rising school dropout rates. Many research conducted globally on the relationship between
physical activity and academic achievement indicated that teens who are moderately active
likely to have better cognitive function. Although data suggests that participation in Physical
Activities is beneficial to academic studies, some studies have found no evidence to support
these claims, casting doubt on the existence of this link. This term project sought to find out
if physical activity affects pupils’ academic achievement in primary school. Education is a
powerful tool for personal and national transformation. To be able to contribute to the nation’s
social, economic, and political growth, an individual’s skills, values, attitudes, knowledge,
and competences must be impacted (Asiyai, 2012). While schooling is good for all children,
there are obstacles that must be addressed. However, the ability to address difficulties as
they arise is essential to successful living and learning. Studies on students’ problems have
tended to focus on the problems students cause rather than the problems they confront in
school (Kumpulainen et al., 1999; Lundy & Firebaugh, 2005; Porter, Johnson, & Petrillo, 2009).
Most studies that may analyze students’ issues either focused on a specific issue or were
unrelated to academic success. This study intends to investigate the link between physical
activity and school achievement.
2. Literature review
According to a review of the literature, previous studies on physical activity have primarily
focused on Europe (Bronikowska et al., 2008; Brage et al., 2006; SardinhaL et al., 2004), and
Latin American countries such as Brazil (Levy et al., 2014; Kohl 2010; De Lima & Silva 2018),
the United States of America (Erzian & Moore 2009), and Nam et al. (2018), with few studies
in Africa In general, Nigeria (Yakubu et al., 2016) and South Africa (Tollman et al., 2014)
have been the subject of the few previous research of this type in Africa. Peltzer (2010) also
examined the phenomenon cross-country, while Guthold et al. (2020) examined it globally.
Physical exercise played a minor role in several previous studies with a greater scope in
Ghana. Guthold et al., 2020; Peltzer, K., and Peng]. In effect, these studies do not demonstrate
a link between attitudes toward physical activity and academic achievement among
Ghanaian primary school students. The purpose of this study is to close this knowledge gap
by examining the association between physical exercise and academic achievement among
Ghanaian primary school pupils.
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2.1. Physical Activity and Academic Performance
Over the last many years, society has suffered significant effects as a result of students’ lack
of physical activity. Inactivity is a risk factor for a number of diseases, including obesity and
diabetes. The literature provides modern perspectives on the impact of physical activity on
students’ learning processes, and recent research demonstrate that regular exercise promotes
mental health (Tyson el at, 2010). In the past, it was believed that extracurricular activities
had a detrimental effect on academic performance (Lindner, 2002).
In recent years, the relationship between physical activity and academic performance
has been examined from a variety of perspectives, including evaluating students’ participation
in physical activities with the intention of establishing a link between these activities and
academic performance (McKenzie 1997; Sallis 1999). These investigations arrived at a variety
of contradicting conclusions regarding this subject. A study conducted by one group of
experts discovered that there is no correlation between physical activity and academic success
(Sallis 1999). Others have discovered that physical activity and academic performance are
positively related (Shephard, 1997). Trudeau and Shephard (2008) conducted a comparison
between students who engage in physical activity and those who do not, and discovered a
positive significant link between physical activity and academic performance, showing that
increasing physical activity improves academic performance. Symons et al. discovered that
physical activity improves inter-neuronal connections and increases attentiveness (Groff,
1997).
Strong et al. (2005) demonstrated that physical activity had a beneficial effect on
health, but found no correlation between cognitive function and physical activity (Pivarnik,
el at 2005). Lindner (2002) conducted a study in Hong Kong and discovered a strong, albeit
weak, association between academic achievement and engagement in physical activity.
Later, Dwyer et al. (2001) conducted a similar study in the setting of Australian students and
discovered a weak link between academic performance and physical activity.
Kao et al. (2017) conducted a study in which they examined the association between
aerobic capacity, muscle capacity, working memory, and academic performance in 79
children aged 9 to 11. After controlling for sociodemographic variables, the results indicate
that there is a relationship between aerobic capacity, working memory, and mathematical
performance. Similarly, physical capacity is associated with working memory. Other research,
such as Haapala (2017), found that moderate to intense physical exercise was associated with
increased reading fluency (p0.05) and reading comprehension (p0.05) in children aged 6 to
8 years. Esteban et al. (2015) found that sedentary activity (surfing the internet, listening to
music, and sitting quietly) has a negative correlation with academic achievement (p> 0.05)
among 1146 students (12.5 2.5 years old). Maureira et al. (2014) analysed 309 secondary school
pupils, examining the association between physical activity and language, mathematics,
history, and science. They discovered a favourable relationship solely with mathematics,
presumably because this discipline shares features with motor execution.
In contrast to earlier findings, a study by Esteban et al. (2014) found no correlation
between physical activity and academic achievement in 1780 individuals aged 6 to 18 years
(48.5 percent female and 51.5 percent female). The authors conclude that the amount of time
spent on physical activity is insufficient in terms of duration and intensity to effect significant
changes in the school environment. Recent research has accumulated a growing body of
evidence demonstrating the favourable effects of physical exercise on brain functioning,
which contribute to an increase in academic performance. This improvement is typically
accompanied by the formation of new cerebral blood vessels, an increase in synaptic density,
an increase in glia, and an increase in neurogenesis.
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Rohini et al. (2014) examined the effect of physical activity on the academic performance
of medical college students. According to the study’s findings, physical exercise in students
increases arousal and decreases boredom, both of which are necessary for students to pay
attention to their studies for an extended period of time, when compared to students who are
not physically active. The study revealed that physical activity benefits students in a variety
of ways, most notably their academic performance. Thus, school and college administrators
should acknowledge the benefits of physical activity and encourage students to participate
in a variety of extracurricular activities.
Apaak & Sarpong (2015) showed in a study that time constraints and physical/
emotional strain were significant factors affecting the academic performance of student-
athletes in Ghana’s public colleges. Opoku et al. (2019) discovered that sports participation
does have an effect on the academic performance of student-athletes at Offinso College of
Education when compared to non-student-athletes. According to Talbot (2001), physical
education helps children develop respect for their own and other people’s bodies; contributes
to the integrated development of mind and body; fosters an understanding of the role of
aerobic and anaerobic physical activity in health; positively impacts self-confidence and self-
esteem; and promotes social and cognitive development and academic achievement. Hylok
(2011) conducted a study in which she explored student perceptions to explain the relationship
between physical activity and academic achievement in adolescents; the findings indicated
that most participants agreed that physical activity does influence academic performance,
while a minority disagreed.
There have been no research examining the association between physical exercise and
academic achievement within the study area, much less among young adults. The proposed
study intends to close this knowledge gap to aid in the implementation of future physical
activity programmes and policies. This project will add to the body of knowledge about
physical activity by advising parents, educators, and community leaders on ways to boost
primary school students’ physical activity to improve their general health and academic
performance.
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activity and academic achievement was established. On the other side, secondary data will
be gathered from both published and unpublished reports, document reviews, journal
articles, institutional reports, and other studies pertinent to the issue. The data were gathered
in a variety of ways. The study collected data from participants through observation and
interview. Creswell (1998) advocated for the adoption of an observation technique that
incorporates both descriptive and reflective notes (full descriptions of what is occurring in
the environment) (thoughts and questions that occur to the observer at the time they occur).
These procedures were critical in decreasing the data to a size that I felt appropriate for
the current investigation. I began by compiling a list of themes that developed during my
literature review. This was followed by an analysis of interview transcripts to continue
identifying emergent themes. Following the transcription analysis of interviews, field and
observational notes were evaluated and classified into theme units. Following the coding
and categorization of all interviews, field notes, and observation notes.
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3.6 Trustworthiness and Transferability
Triangulation of data was identified as important within qualitative research studies to
ensure consistency and dependability (Merriam, 2002). The triangulation of data came from
interviews, observations, and documentation from each school. Because schools selected
are all offering physical activity, I was able to compare observational and interview data. I
discovered the relationship between the physical activity and academic performances of the
participants. When attempting to build trust worthiness and confidence in the transferability
of knowledge gained in a qualitative study, Merriam (2002) recommended the following
techniques, triangulation
Peer review
Observation and field notes
Extensive time in the field Qualitative studies are often subject to criticism based on
the high level of involvement of the researcher, who functions as an integral part of
the data collection.
Creswell (1998) indicated that this could be problematic in the integration of a bias in collected
data. For these case studies I functioned as an interviewer, an observer, and a data collection
resource, as well as constructing meaning from the data collected. This presents issues of bias
and the integrity of the study can come into question. Creswell (1998) recommended using
peer reviews, bias clarification, data collection audits and triangulation to address these
limitations.
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“Do not count as physical activity because I think physical activity does not make me happy.”
All participants felt physical activity improved health, one of the participants stated
that.
“Physical activity keeps me in shape, improves my body, makes me feel good and happy.”
When asked about academic performance subjects, participants mentioned their
favorite classes subjects were math, science, and English. They described how parents created
a lot of pressure to get good grades. One participant also mentioned that
“I get grounded, and so I’m kind of like forced by my parents to get straight A’s.”
Overall, participants felt there was a relationship between physical activity and academic
performance. Participants showed a strong sense of self-efficacy. They discussed the
importance of setting goals for academics and physical activity.
4.1 Discussion
The study results and the findings were discussion and linked to previous studies as follows;
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I am a firm believer that physical activity benefits brain function. Another minority
of students feel that physical activity improves grades, however excessive exercise can have
the opposite effect. “At times, my physical activity interferes with my academic performance
because I am more concentrated on my sports.” The remaining pupils were unsure whether
physical activity and academic achievement were related.
“Physical activity has little bearing on academic performance unless you play for a team that
requires good grades.”
The remaining pupils were unsure whether physical activity and academic performance
were related. The study’s findings reveal that physical exercise and academic success are
positively correlated. Our findings are consistent with those of numerous other research,
articles, publications, and policy documents that detail desirable qualities of physical
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education and sports participation procedures and with which this current study agrees.
For example, Talbot (2001) asserts that physical education helps children develop a healthy
respect for their own and other people’s bodies; it contributes to the integrated development
of mind and body; it fosters an understanding of the role of aerobic and anaerobic physical
activity in health; it boosts self-confidence and self-esteem; and it promotes social and
cognitive development and academic achievement.
This study also strongly concurred with Hylok (2011), who examined student
perceptions to better understand the relationship between physical activity and academic
achievement in adolescents; the findings indicated that most participants agreed that physical
activity does influence academic performance, while a minority disagreed. Dwyer et al.
(2001) conducted a similar study in an Australian high school context and reported a weak
correlation between academic achievement and physical activity. There is no association
between physical activity and academic success, according to a study done by one group of
academics (Sallis 1999).
5.1 Conclusion
Numerous researchers have discovered and believe in a relationship between physical
exercise and academic success, while some studies, such as this one, have discovered the
opposite. This study sought to determine the association between physical activity and
academic performance. The study hypothesized that physical activity could have an effect
on children’s ability to learn and function academically. Although the results demonstrated
a significant linear relationship between physical activity and academic accomplishment,
the study’s participants saw a link between physical activity and academic achievement.
All participants stated that physical activity is critical for their health and has a beneficial
effect on their learning. Social effects, self-efficacy, support, surroundings, academics, and
motivation were determined to have the biggest impact on physical activity participation.
5.2 Recommendations
1. School administrators, faculty, and parents should promote and push children to
participate actively in sports, as research has demonstrated that physical activity helps
pupils perform well academically.
2. School officials should avoid scheduling sports and instruction concurrently, if
possible, as children engaged in physical activity are penalised by missing classes.
3. School administrators are urged to structure their schools, lessons, and curricula
in such a way that sports are given the appropriate space and time, so enabling all
children who are sports educated to participate in sports.
4. Students in primary school should also learn how to manage their time effectively
between sports and academics.
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