The role of varying physical activity types and contexts for educational and behavioral outcomes

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

Decades of research underscore the benefits of physical activity for a number of health outcomes for children and adults; however, until recently, few studies have explored links between physical activity and educational (e.g., mathematics, literacy) or behavioral outcomes (e.g., disciplinary referrals) in childhood. Further, little attention has been paid to links between specific types of physical activity, such as sport participation, or contexts where physical activity occurs (e.g., recess) and educational and behavioral outcomes. This symposium brings together scholars from four universities to present innovative research related to physical activity and the development of educational and behavioral outcomes in childhood. The first paper examines the extent to which participation in a specific type of physical activity, structured sport participation (e.g., soccer), is related to preschool children’s academic outcomes. The second paper explores aerobic fitness levels among preschool children from low socioeconomic backgrounds and associations with executive function, an important predictor of academic achievement. The third study examines the effects of an additional recess period on K-6th grade children’s academic outcomes and disciplinary referrals. The discussant will identify strengths and weaknesses across the studies, explore potential explanations (e.g., measurement issues) for mixed findings in the field with regard to physical activity and outcomes in children, and highlight directions for future inquiry.

Sub Unit

• Education, Schooling

Chair

• Sara Anne Schmitt, University of Oregon

Discussant

• Karin Allor Pfeiffer, Michigan State University

Individual Presentations

• Structured Sports Participation in Preschool Predicts Later Math and Literacy - Presenting Author: Lindsey Bryant, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Non-Presenting Author: Robert Duncan, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Non-Presenting Author: David James Purpura, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Non-Presenting Author: James G Elicker, Purdue University; Non-Presenting Author: Sara Anne Schmitt, University of Oregon

• Family Socioeconomic Status, Physical Fitness, and Executive Function Between the Fall and Spring of Pre-kindergarten - Presenting Author: Derek Raymond Becker, Western Carolina University; Non-Presenting Author: Alicia Miao, Oregon Early Learning Division

• The Effect of Additional Recess on Student Academic Achievement and Discipline Referrals - Presenting Author: Alicia Fedewa, University of Kentucky; Non-Presenting Author: Clair Tischner, University of Kentucky