Author(s): HERMASSI, S., ALNEAMA, A., KETELHUT, S., Institution: QATAR UNIVERSITY, Country: QATAR, Abstract-ID: 975

INTRODUCTION:
Academic performance in adolescence has been linked to various health and lifestyle factors, including physical fitness and activity levels1,2. This study investigated how health-related fitness, body composition, physical activity, and sedentary behavior differ among children based on their mathematics Grade Point Average (GPA).
METHODS:
The sample of this cross-sectional study comprised 100 male students who were classified into two mathematics achievement groups: Advanced (n = 50; GPA 90–100; Age: 14.8 ± 1.0 years; Height: 163.4 ± 9.3 cm; Body mass: 54.3 ± 6.9 kg; Body mass index (BMI): 20.5 ± 3.3 kg/m²) and Intermediate (n = 50; GPA 70–79; Age: 14.3 ± 0.9 years; Height: 162.8 ± 7.9 cm; Body mass: 58.6 ± 11.8 kg; BMI: 22.2 ± 4.55 kg/m²). Data collection included anthropometric measurements, and participants’ maturity status was calculated using Moore’s equations. Health-related fitness was assessed through a series of tests, including the medicine ball throw, postural stability, and handgrip strength. Physical activity (PA) was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), which classifies PA into vigorous, moderate, walking, and total activity levels. Academic attainment was determined using the GPA in mathematics.
RESULTS:
No significant between-group difference was observed for height (p = .684). The Advanced group showed lower body mass (54.3 ± 7.1 vs. 58.8 ± 11.9 kg; p = .026), BMI (20.5 ± 3.3 vs. 22.3 ± 4.6 kg/m²; p = .033), and arm span (p = .029) than the Intermediate group. No significant between-group difference was observed for maturity scores (0.64 ± 0.98 vs. 0.43 ± 0.73; p = .20). Agility performance (8.3 ± 1.6 vs. 11.3 ± 1.9 s; p < .001) and handgrip strength (22.7 ± 3.8 vs. 18.11 ± 3.1 N; p < .001) were significantly greater in the Advanced group, with no differences in medicine ball throw or postural stability. Moderate-intensity PA (p < .001) and total PA (p = .012) were higher, while sedentary time was lower (2.9 ± 1.6 vs. 4.7 ± 1.9 h/week; p < .001) in the Advanced group. Regression analyses indicated that mathematics achievement predicted sedentary time (β = −1.78 h/week; R² = 0.207; p < .001), total PA (β = 427 MET·min/week; R² = 0.056; p = .017), and moderate-intensity PA (β = 258 MET·min/week; R² = 0.087; p = .013), but not walking or vigorous-intensity activity.
CONCLUSION:
Higher mathematics achievement in students was linked to healthier body composition, better physical fitness, and more active behaviors. Advanced students had lower body mass and BMI, greater agility and handgrip strength, higher moderate-intensity and total physical activity, and less sedentary time compared with Intermediate students. Regression analyses showed that mathematics achievement significantly predicted activity levels and sedentary behavior, indicating a strong link with health-related fitness.
1Canli U et al., Children. 2024; 11(4):396.
2Pan W et al., Sci Rep. 2025 Sep 29;15(1):33561.