title: Exercise and academic performance among nursing and kinesiology students at US colleges.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lack of physical activity is a contributor to the obesity epidemic and is speculated to relate to reduced academic performance; however, this link has yet to be examined within the college population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study in a group of undergraduate students, was to determine if aerobic exercise activity was related to academic performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants for this study included 740 students at multiple universities enrolled in nursing and kinesiology studies. The participants completed the Leisure and Physical Activity Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pearson's χ(2) analysis revealed differences in grade point average with aerobic activity (χ(2) = 44.29, P ≤ 0.001) as well as a trend toward differences in grade point average with weightlifting activity (χ(2) = 22.69, P = 0.61).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these findings it can be suggested that college students engage in greater aerobic exercise.
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bellar
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States.
authors.forename: Lawrence W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Judge
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bellar
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States.
authors.forename: Charity L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bryan
keywords: Academic performance; allied health students; nursing students; physical activity
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