The Effects of Physical Activity On Subjective Cognitive Function And Academic Ability

Previous studies have examined the effect physical activity can have on cognitive function and academic achievement objectively using acute measures for the younger adult population and longitudinal interventions for older adult population. However, little research has been conducted investigating the effect of subjective physical engagement on subjective cognitive function and academic achievement. The purpose of this study is to examine these associations. Participants N = 41, were recruited using social media platforms and their data was collected through a google forms survey, incorporating questionnaires on memory, attention, executive function and academic achievement. Participants data was then configured using a Spearman’s rank order correlation and four individual linear regressions. There was no correlation between any of the assessed variables and physical activity. Linear regression analysis found no indication that physical activity predicts better subjective cognitive function and academic achievement. In conclusion, the study’s findings suggest no relationship between physical activity and any of the criterion variables, Attention, Memory, Executive function and academic ability. The association between all the variables and physical activity is very complex as different measures used to assess each variables have their own strengths and weaknesses. The following paper will discuss this matter in detail