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For better or worse? – The effects of physical education on child development

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  • Knaus, Michael C.
  • Lechner, Michael
  • Reimers, Anne K.

Abstract

This study analyses the effects of regular physical education at school on academic achievements, non-cognitive skills, motor skills, physical activity, and health. It is based on a very informative data set, the German Motorik-Modul, and identifies the effect by using variation in the required numbers of physical education lessons across German federal states. The results suggest improvements in academic achievements. Boys’ non-cognitive skills are adversely affected driven by increased peer relation problems. For girls, the results show improvements in motor skills and increased extra-curricular physical activities. Generally, we find no statistically significant effects on health parameters.

Suggested Citation

  • Knaus, Michael C. & Lechner, Michael & Reimers, Anne K., 2020. "For better or worse? – The effects of physical education on child development," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:67:y:2020:i:c:s0927537120301081
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2020.101904
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    Cited by:

    1. Steven Bednar & Kathryn Rouse, 2020. "The effect of physical education on children's body weight and human capital: New evidence from the ECLS‐K:2011," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(4), pages 393-405, April.
    2. Packham, Analisa & Street, Brittany, 2019. "The effects of physical education on student fitness, achievement, and behavior," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 1-18.
    3. Phipps, Aaron & Amaya, Alexander, 2023. "Are students time constrained? Course load, GPA, and failing," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    4. Black, Nicole & Johnston, David W. & Propper, Carol & Shields, Michael A., 2019. "The effect of school sports facilities on physical activity, health and socioeconomic status in adulthood," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 120-128.
    5. Phillip Heiler, 2020. "Efficient Covariate Balancing for the Local Average Treatment Effect," Papers 2007.04346, arXiv.org.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Physical education; Academic achievements; Non-cognitive skills; Motor skills; Physical activity; Health;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • Z28 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - Policy
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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