Considering Physical Well-Being, Self-perceptions, and Support Variables in Understanding Youth Academic Achievement

Erin E. Centeio, Cheryl L. Somers, E. Whitney G. Moore, Alex Garn, Noel Kulik, Jeffrey Martin, Bo Shen, Nate McCaughtry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between measures of students’ physical well-being and self-perception and their academic achievement. Specifically, we look at students’ social support for physical activity, physical activity perceptions, self-concept, self-efficacy, health behaviors, and cardiorespiratory fitness (as measured by the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run [PACER] test). Students (n = 697 fifth graders) were surveyed at the beginning of the school year. A two-group path analysis revealed notable relationships between the predictor variables and proximal and distal outcomes, with some paths moderated by sex. One relationship that was significant for both sexes was cardiorespiratory fitness, as it was the only significant predictor of achievement. This effect was moderate to large for the female students (R2 Math = 36% ; R2 Read =15%) and small to large for the male students (R2 Math = 26% ; R2 Math =10%). These findings can be used to guide future research and educational prevention and intervention efforts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)134-157
Number of pages24
JournalJournal of Early Adolescence
Volume40
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2019.

Keywords

  • academic achievement
  • attachment
  • health
  • nutrition
  • obesity
  • social support

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Considering Physical Well-Being, Self-perceptions, and Support Variables in Understanding Youth Academic Achievement'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this