Associations between physical activity and academic achievement in gifted students

This study aimed to determine the association between physical activity and academic performance in a Spanish sample of gifted students also considering the differences on the associations by sex. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 219 gifted preadolescents and adolescents. Physical activity was measured with PAQ-A and academic performance was self-reported in terms of overall grades and grades in Spanish Language, Mathematics, Foreign Language and Physical Education. No significant correlations were found, except with Physical Education. When analyses were performed by sex, positive correlations were found between physical activity and academic performance in boys. In addition, there was evidence of a possible inverted U-shaped quadratic relationship in girls. Regression models were tested including socioeconomic and cultural variables that were not significant for physical activity. The existence of an important ceiling effect, as well as other elements, that could explain these results was discussed. Nevertheless, it was argued that gifted students could be benefitted from physical activity, although it is necessary to investigate the role of sex and other possible variables.