Institute of Sports and Health, Zhengzhou Shengda University, Zhengzhou 451191, China.
Centre for Active Living and Learning, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 19;20(4):3678. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20043678.
Previous studies have demonstrated that the effect of sports participation on student health and academic performance is significant. However, the relationship between sports participation and academic performance in specific subjects (e.g., English) in the Chinese population is not clear, especially in primary schools. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between sports participation and academic performance in Chinese elementary schools.
All study participants were asked to self-report their sociodemographic factors (e.g., sex, grade, age), independence, and outcomes. Alongside that, a self-reported questionnaire was used to assess participation in sports and academic performance of three core subjects in China's schooling system (Chinese; math; English; from A to F, with A indicating the best academic performance). An ordered logistic regression, with an odds ratio (OR) at 95%CI confidence interval, was performed to examine the association between sports team participation and academic performance.
The final analysis included 27,954 children aged 10-14. Children in the fifth and sixth grades accounted for 50.2% and 49.8%. Chinese, math, and English academic performance were positively correlated with participation in sports. Compared with students who never participate in sports, those students who participate in sports 1-3 times a month, 1-2 times a week, and 3 or more times a week, were more likely to achieve better grades. In terms of math, compared with students who never participate in sports, those students who participate in sports 1-3 times a month, 1-2 times a week, and 3 or more times a week, were more likely to achieve better grades. Regarding English, compared with students who never participate in sports, those students who participate in sports 1-3 times a month, 1-2 times a week, and 3 or more times a week, were more likely to achieve better grades.
Consistent with previous studies, the current study confirms the positive effect of sports participation on children's academic performance. For an academic-related outreach, gender-, grade- and area-specific strategies should be considered in future research.
本研究旨在探讨中国小学生运动参与与学业成绩的关系。
所有研究参与者均被要求报告其社会人口统计学因素(如性别、年级、年龄)、独立性和结果。此外,还使用自报问卷评估他们在中国学校教育系统中三门核心学科(中文、数学、英语;从 A 到 F,A 表示学业成绩最好)的运动参与和学业成绩。采用有序逻辑回归,以 95%CI 置信区间的比值比(OR),来检验运动队参与与学业成绩之间的关联。
最终分析纳入了 27954 名 10-14 岁的儿童。五年级和六年级的学生分别占 50.2%和 49.8%。中文、数学和英语学业成绩与运动参与呈正相关。与从不参加运动的学生相比,每月参加 1-3 次、每周参加 1-2 次和每周参加 3 次或以上运动的学生,更有可能取得更好的成绩。在数学方面,与从不参加运动的学生相比,每月参加 1-3 次、每周参加 1-2 次和每周参加 3 次或以上运动的学生,更有可能取得更好的成绩。在英语方面,与从不参加运动的学生相比,每月参加 1-3 次、每周参加 1-2 次和每周参加 3 次或以上运动的学生,更有可能取得更好的成绩。
与以往研究一致,本研究证实了运动参与对儿童学业成绩的积极影响。在未来的研究中,应考虑针对特定性别、年级和地区的学术相关推广策略。