The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Academic Achievement in Middle School Students

Abstract

Middle School presents a unique set of challenges for a sixth grade student. What happens to these children when they are faced with multiple changes and limited physical activity? How does a lack of physical activity affect academic performance and behavior in sixth grade students? The following study took place in a middle school where students are required to take one trimester (thirteen weeks) of Spanish and two trimesters of P.E. Through gathering data on grades, behavioral referrals, surveys and interviews with students and teachers, this study attempts to show that there is a direct correlation between weak academic performance, disruptive behavior and lack of physical activity. In my analysis, I compared grades and behavioral reports between the trimesters the sample group had P.E. and the trimester they had Spanish. Data showed that indeed, the grades did decline and behavioral referrals did rise during the trimester the students were enrolled in Spanish rather than P.E., and surprisingly continued to deteriorate throughout the end of the school year. Although the research raised more questions than it answered, it does imply that lack of physical activity does have a negative influence on students’ grades and behavior.