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Fitness, Fatness, and Academic Attainment in Male Schoolchildren from a Soccer Academy

Author

Listed:
  • Souhail Hermassi

    (Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar)

  • Thomas Bartels

    (Sports Clinic Halle, Center of Joint Surgery, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany)

  • Lawrence D. Hayes

    (School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow G72 0LH, UK)

  • René Schwesig

    (Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany)

Abstract

This investigation explored the association between anthropometric measures, fitness, and academic attainment (mathematics and science grade point average [GPA]) in male schoolchildren from a soccer academy. Thirty-one males (age: 10.3 ± 1.19 years; body mass: 41.7 ± 6.5 kg; height: 1.43 ± 0.07 m; body mass index (BMI): 20.2 ± 2.8 kg/m 2 ) participated. Body mass, body fat percentage (%BF), and BMI were used as measures of anthropometry. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (level 1), squat and counter-movement jumps (SJ and CMJ), static balance, 10 and 15 m sprint, and a T-half test for change-of-direction (CoD) performance were used to measure fitness parameters. The GPA of mathematics and science determined academic attainment. All physical performance tests showed excellent relative reliability. ICC was between 0.87 (10 m sprint) and 1.00 (15 m sprint, CMJ). Regarding correlations between fatness and academic attainment, we found three correlations of practical value (r > 0.5), but only for mathematics (BMI: r = 0.540, subscapular skinfold: r = 0.589, body fat: r = 0.560). Mathematics was relevantly correlated with 15 m sprint (r = 0.574) and Yo-Yo IR1 test (r = 0.770). Only static balance (r = 0.428) did not reach the relevance criteria (r > 0.5). Science only showed large correlations with static balance (r = 0.620) and Yo-Yo IR1 test (r = 0.730). In conclusion, fatness and fitness are related to academic attainment in schoolchildren. In addition, except for static balance, all physical performance parameters were relevantly (r > 0.5) correlated with mathematics.

Suggested Citation

  • Souhail Hermassi & Thomas Bartels & Lawrence D. Hayes & René Schwesig, 2022. "Fitness, Fatness, and Academic Attainment in Male Schoolchildren from a Soccer Academy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:3106-:d:765308
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniel Leyhr & Augustin Kelava & Johannes Raabe & Oliver Höner, 2018. "Longitudinal motor performance development in early adolescence and its relationship to adult success: An 8-year prospective study of highly talented soccer players," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, May.
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    3. Ghaith Aloui & Souhail Hermassi & Aymen Khemiri & Thomas Bartels & Lawrence D. Hayes & El Ghali Bouhafs & Mohamed Souhaiel Chelly & René Schwesig, 2021. "An 8-Week Program of Plyometrics and Sprints with Changes of Direction Improved Anaerobic Fitness in Young Male Soccer Players," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Dennis Murr & Philip Feichtinger & Paul Larkin & Donna O‘Connor & Oliver Höner, 2018. "Psychological talent predictors in youth soccer: A systematic review of the prognostic relevance of psychomotor, perceptual-cognitive and personality-related factors," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(10), pages 1-24, October.
    5. Wittberg, R.A. & Northrup, K.L. & Cottrell, L.A., 2012. "Children's aerobic fitness and academic achievement: A longitudinal examination of students during their fifth and seventh grade years," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(12), pages 2303-2307.
    6. Souhail Hermassi & Nicola Luigi Bragazzi & Lina Majed, 2020. "Body Fat Is a Predictor of Physical Fitness in Obese Adolescent Handball Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-11, November.
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