Association between Motor Ability and Academic Performance in Elementary Schoolchildren

Objective: The paper is to examine the association of motor ability with academic performance in elementary schoolchildren. Study design: This cross-sectional study included a total of 2948 students (1690 boys and 1258 girls) aged 5-17 years. Motor ability was measured using the 50-meter dash test. Academic performance was assessed through school records using 3 indicators: Chinese, Mathematics and English. Multivariate linear regression models were adopted to examine the relationship between motor ability and academic performance. Results: Motor ability was independently associated with Chinese (β=2.59; 95%CI=1.49-3.69; P<0.001), Mathematics (β=3.10; 95%CI=1.98-4.22; P<0.001), and English (β=1.72; 95%CI=0.44-3.00; P=0.003), even after adjustment for gender, city, grade, age, body mass index, and vital capacity. Conclusion: Motor ability may have a beneficial influence on academic performance in elementary schoolchildren.