Health Status, Selected Physiological Variables and Physical Fitness of School Children in Relation to their Academic Performances

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2007), research has provided evidence that effective school health programs are intense and begin prior to the onset of the risky behaviours; and both primary and secondary schools should have a planned, sequenced curriculum. Adequate instructional time is necessary for students to learn essential health education knowledge and skills that are developmentally appropriate and build from year to year. Academics are important, but so is finding time for fitness. Schools have played a central role in the provision of physical activity to children and youth for more than a century. It appears that the time has come to consider a markedly expanded role for schools in providing physical activity to our children and youth. Schools could become the central element in a community system that ensures that students participate in enough physical activity to develop healthy lifestyles. The purpose of the study was to find out the relationship of health status and physical fitness of school going students with their academic status. The investigation for the study was conducted during corona pandemic period. During this pandemic period all the schools were closed and the teaching was being conducted on virtual mode. Thus, the scholar found it difficult to get adequate number of subjects for the study. The students belonging to the local school and studying in class IX and X, residing nearby the residence of the scholar were being traced. The scholar requested them to report at the school playground for collection of required data. In total 21 students (11 Girls and 10 boys) reported and extended their support towards collection of data pertaining to health status, physiological variables and physical fitness components. The purposive sampling procedure was being adopted to select the subjects. The data in respect of academic achievement as received from school result sheet was computed as scored by the subjects in the immediate past examinations of the school and obtained from the examination result sheet. The relationship among the variables was established separately (boys and girls) and collectively using the ‘Pearson coefficient correlation’. The test of significance was set for all calculations at 0.05 levels.

Findings-Considering the correlation coefficients of all Health status traits with the academic result, it was concluded that, age had negative association, but height and weight had positive association with academic score, hence heavy weight or taller individuals had a better academic score, compared to other counterparts. Besides, elderly individuals had lower academic score than the younger counterparts. All other parameters had no association with academic score. The degree of determination (R² ) for age, height and weight with academic result were calculated to be 0.524, 0.305 and 0.237, respectively. Means, 52.4% contribution of age was realized towards determination of academic result for individuals. Corresponding proportions for height and weight were 30.5 and 23.7%, respectively.

 Conclusions:       Considering the correlation coefficients of all physiological and physical fitness traits with the academic result, it can be concluded from present study that, resting pulse rate and agility had no significant association, but endurance had significant positive association with academic score. . The degree of determination (R² ) for resting pulse rate, agility and endurance with academic result were calculated to be 0.486, 0.253 and 0.307, respectively. Means, 48.6% contribution of resting pulse rate was realized towards determination of academic result for individuals. Corresponding proportions for agility and endurance were 25.3 and 30.7%, respectively.