Associations Between Leisure Physical Activity and Mathematics Interest: A Longitudinal Analysis

Previous studies have indicated a positive association between physical activity (PA) and mathematics achievement. The present study explored the association of PA outside school with math interest using longitudinal data from Kaifeng, a medium-sized city in Central China. A two-tier multilevel logi...

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Main Authors: Yuhuan Zhang, Lidong Wang, Tian Li, Xiao Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-12-01
Series:SAGE Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241305530
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author Yuhuan Zhang
Lidong Wang
Tian Li
Xiao Ma
author_facet Yuhuan Zhang
Lidong Wang
Tian Li
Xiao Ma
author_sort Yuhuan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Previous studies have indicated a positive association between physical activity (PA) and mathematics achievement. The present study explored the association of PA outside school with math interest using longitudinal data from Kaifeng, a medium-sized city in Central China. A two-tier multilevel logistic model was conducted using 2,132 students’ math test scores, self-reported PA frequency, and math learning-related experience in December 2019 and January 2021. Socioeconomic status, school location, and sex were all controlled. The results showed that physical exercise frequency and physical exercise per class outside school had a significant positive impact on mathematics interest ( β = 0 . 072 , p = 0 . 001 ; β = 0 . 153 , p = 0 . 043 ), as did previous mathematics interest ( β = 0 . 581 , p = 0 . 000 ) and self-educational expectation ( β = − 0 . 232 , p = 0 . 033 ; β = − 0 . 432 , p = 0 . 000 ). It indicated that regular physical exercise outside of school can lead to increased mathematics interest.
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spelling doaj-art-0ab97e1f6cef4af39a686f5db9d7c6992025-08-20T02:01:04ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open2158-24402024-12-011410.1177/21582440241305530Associations Between Leisure Physical Activity and Mathematics Interest: A Longitudinal AnalysisYuhuan Zhang0Lidong Wang1Tian Li2Xiao Ma3Henan University, Henan, ChinaBeijing Normal University, Beijing, ChinaLuoyang Seventh Senior High School, Henan, ChinaShanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, ChinaPrevious studies have indicated a positive association between physical activity (PA) and mathematics achievement. The present study explored the association of PA outside school with math interest using longitudinal data from Kaifeng, a medium-sized city in Central China. A two-tier multilevel logistic model was conducted using 2,132 students’ math test scores, self-reported PA frequency, and math learning-related experience in December 2019 and January 2021. Socioeconomic status, school location, and sex were all controlled. The results showed that physical exercise frequency and physical exercise per class outside school had a significant positive impact on mathematics interest ( β = 0 . 072 , p = 0 . 001 ; β = 0 . 153 , p = 0 . 043 ), as did previous mathematics interest ( β = 0 . 581 , p = 0 . 000 ) and self-educational expectation ( β = − 0 . 232 , p = 0 . 033 ; β = − 0 . 432 , p = 0 . 000 ). It indicated that regular physical exercise outside of school can lead to increased mathematics interest.https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241305530
spellingShingle Yuhuan Zhang
Lidong Wang
Tian Li
Xiao Ma
Associations Between Leisure Physical Activity and Mathematics Interest: A Longitudinal Analysis
SAGE Open
title Associations Between Leisure Physical Activity and Mathematics Interest: A Longitudinal Analysis
title_full Associations Between Leisure Physical Activity and Mathematics Interest: A Longitudinal Analysis
title_fullStr Associations Between Leisure Physical Activity and Mathematics Interest: A Longitudinal Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Associations Between Leisure Physical Activity and Mathematics Interest: A Longitudinal Analysis
title_short Associations Between Leisure Physical Activity and Mathematics Interest: A Longitudinal Analysis
title_sort associations between leisure physical activity and mathematics interest a longitudinal analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241305530
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