Physical Fitness And Academic Performance In College Students: A Pilot Study

Academic performance (AP) is a strong predictor of long-term professional and social success. In recent years, physical fitness (PF) has been associated with AP in school age students. However, data related to a possible association between AP and PF in college students are scarce. PURPOSE: To verify the relationship between PF components with AP in college students. METHODS: Cross-section pilot study conducted with 69 college students (n = 40 Female age: 29 ± 9, n = 29 male age: 23 ± 3). Body composition (bioelectrical impedance), cardiorespiratory fitness (Queens’ college step test), flexibility (sit and reach test), muscular strength (handgrip test) and endurance (push-up test) were assessed according to ACSM’s guidelines. AP was obtained throughout the student’s official GPA. RESULTS: In females, the results revealed a negative correlation between AP with BMI (r = -.328; p = 0.05), and a positive correlation with flexibility (r = .341; p = 0.04), muscular endurance (r = .355; p = 0.03), when adjusted by age. No correlations were observed for male participants. CONCLUSION: Physical fitness is correlated with academic performance in female college students, but not in male students. If future studies confirm these results, strategies aiming to increase fitness levels among college students may be implemented as a way to improve students’ academic success.