title: Physical fitness and academic performance in primary school children with and without a social disadvantage.
abstract: This study examined the differences between children with a low socioeconomic status [socially disadvantaged children (SDC)] and children without this disadvantage (non-SDC) on physical fitness and academic performance. In addition, this study determined the association between physical fitness and academic performance, and investigated the possible moderator effect of SDC. Data on 544 children were collected and analysed (130 SDC, 414 non-SDC, mean age = 8.0 ± 0.7). Physical fitness was measured with tests for cardiovascular and muscular fitness. Academic performance was evaluated using scores on mathematics, spelling and reading. SDC did not differ on physical fitness, compared with non-SDC, but scored significantly lower on academic performance. In the total group, multilevel analysis showed positive associations between cardiovascular fitness and mathematics (β = 0.23), and between cardiovascular fitness and spelling (β = 0.16), but not with reading. No associations were found between muscular fitness and academic performance. A significant interaction effect between SDC and cardiovascular fitness was found for spelling. To conclude, results showed a specific link between cardiovascular fitness and mathematics, regardless of socioeconomic status. SDC did moderate the relationship between cardiovascular fitness and spelling.
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands and University of Groningen, Groningen Institute for Educational Research, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands j.w.de.greeff@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: de Greeff
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands and University of Groningen, Groningen Institute for Educational Research, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands and University of Groningen, Groningen Institute for Educational Research, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mullender-Wijnsma
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands and University of Groningen, Groningen Institute for Educational Research, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands and University of Groningen, Groningen Institute for Educational Research, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bosker
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands and University of Groningen, Groningen Institute for Educational Research, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands and University of Groningen, Groningen Institute for Educational Research, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doolaard
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands and University of Groningen, Groningen Institute for Educational Research, Grote Rozenstraat 3, 9712 TG Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Visscher
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002648:Child; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012574:Schools; D012923:Social Class; D013334:Students