Association of physical activity and motor skills with academic performance in high school students of Hayatabad, Peshawar: A cross-sectional study

Background: Regular physical activity has a positive impact on brain function, improves perception, and significantly influences academic achievement. Objective: This study aimed to determine the association of physical activity, motor skills, and academic performance in high school students in Ha...

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Main Authors: Uzair Ahmad, Babar Ali, Seema Gul, Ikram Ali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Faculty of Rehabilitation & Allied health sciences, Riphah International University 2025-03-01
Series:Journal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences
Online Access:https://journals.riphah.edu.pk/index.php/jrcrs/article/view/2157
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author Uzair Ahmad
Babar Ali
Seema Gul
Ikram Ali
author_facet Uzair Ahmad
Babar Ali
Seema Gul
Ikram Ali
author_sort Uzair Ahmad
collection DOAJ
description Background: Regular physical activity has a positive impact on brain function, improves perception, and significantly influences academic achievement. Objective: This study aimed to determine the association of physical activity, motor skills, and academic performance in high school students in Hayatabad, Peshawar. Methodology: A total of 349 students were recruited using stratified random sampling from both public and private high schools within the Hayatabad region, Peshawar, Pakistan from December 2020 to May 2021. Only students in 9th and 10th grades from public and private schools who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were included. PA was assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Academic performance was documented based on grades and percentages from recent exams, following Peshawar Board of Education rules. Motor skills were evaluated through vertical jumps, average hand strength, sit-and-reach flexibility, and 60-second pushups. Results: A statistically significant association was observed between PA and academic performance in high school students (P<0.05). Similarly, there was a statistically significant association between motor skills including vertical jump, handgrip strength and academic performance (P<0.05). However, no statistically significant associations were found between sit-and-reach test performance, (60s) push-ups and academic performance (P>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates an association between physical activity (PA) and academic performance in high school students. However, motor skills including vertical jump and handgrip strength is associated with academic performance in high school students. Keywords: Physical activity, Motor skills, Academic performance, Academic achievement
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issn 2226-9215
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language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Faculty of Rehabilitation & Allied health sciences, Riphah International University
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spelling doaj-art-01be00bb93d9499bba6cb00366ab3c272025-08-20T03:08:33ZengFaculty of Rehabilitation & Allied health sciences, Riphah International UniversityJournal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences2226-92152410-888X2025-03-011312554Association of physical activity and motor skills with academic performance in high school students of Hayatabad, Peshawar: A cross-sectional studyUzair Ahmad0Babar Ali1Seema Gul2Ikram Ali3Assistant Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Northwest Institute of Health Sciences Peshawar, PakistanManager Paramedics, Department of Paramedics, MTI, Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, PakistanLecturer, Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Khyber Medical University Peshawar, PakistanAssistant Professor, Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Khyber Medical University Peshawar, PakistanBackground: Regular physical activity has a positive impact on brain function, improves perception, and significantly influences academic achievement. Objective: This study aimed to determine the association of physical activity, motor skills, and academic performance in high school students in Hayatabad, Peshawar. Methodology: A total of 349 students were recruited using stratified random sampling from both public and private high schools within the Hayatabad region, Peshawar, Pakistan from December 2020 to May 2021. Only students in 9th and 10th grades from public and private schools who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were included. PA was assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Academic performance was documented based on grades and percentages from recent exams, following Peshawar Board of Education rules. Motor skills were evaluated through vertical jumps, average hand strength, sit-and-reach flexibility, and 60-second pushups. Results: A statistically significant association was observed between PA and academic performance in high school students (P<0.05). Similarly, there was a statistically significant association between motor skills including vertical jump, handgrip strength and academic performance (P<0.05). However, no statistically significant associations were found between sit-and-reach test performance, (60s) push-ups and academic performance (P>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates an association between physical activity (PA) and academic performance in high school students. However, motor skills including vertical jump and handgrip strength is associated with academic performance in high school students. Keywords: Physical activity, Motor skills, Academic performance, Academic achievementhttps://journals.riphah.edu.pk/index.php/jrcrs/article/view/2157
spellingShingle Uzair Ahmad
Babar Ali
Seema Gul
Ikram Ali
Association of physical activity and motor skills with academic performance in high school students of Hayatabad, Peshawar: A cross-sectional study
Journal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences
title Association of physical activity and motor skills with academic performance in high school students of Hayatabad, Peshawar: A cross-sectional study
title_full Association of physical activity and motor skills with academic performance in high school students of Hayatabad, Peshawar: A cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Association of physical activity and motor skills with academic performance in high school students of Hayatabad, Peshawar: A cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Association of physical activity and motor skills with academic performance in high school students of Hayatabad, Peshawar: A cross-sectional study
title_short Association of physical activity and motor skills with academic performance in high school students of Hayatabad, Peshawar: A cross-sectional study
title_sort association of physical activity and motor skills with academic performance in high school students of hayatabad peshawar a cross sectional study
url https://journals.riphah.edu.pk/index.php/jrcrs/article/view/2157
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AT seemagul associationofphysicalactivityandmotorskillswithacademicperformanceinhighschoolstudentsofhayatabadpeshawaracrosssectionalstudy
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