An Exploratory Study to Examine the Relationship between Academic Achievement and Physical Activity of Girls in Grades Three to Seven Participating in a Community-based Physical Activity Program

Abstract

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to better understand the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement of girls in grades three to seven participating in a community-based physical activity program. Seventeen of eighteen possible participants were involved in this study. Findings revealed that there was no relationship found between the intensity, duration, and frequency of physical activity and English grades. There was also no relationship between the intensity, duration, and frequency of physical activity and mathematics grades. Parents were found to be the largest influence on girls’ physical activity behaviours. This study contributed to health promotion research by building upon findings from past projects that have found no significant negative relationship to exist between physical activity and academic achievement. Future research may want to focus on providing interventions at the family level to support parents’ and girls’ participation in physical activity.