L’activité physique et sportive régulière : un déterminant des résultats scolaires au collège

ObjectiveTo measure the long-term effects of an extracurricular sports practice on the academic performances in college, according to whether this practice is regular, irregular, or absent.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study, which has included all of the pupils entering the first year of secondary school (sixth grade) in the Vosges department (East France) during the school year 2001–2002 and followed during four years. Data were collected every six months by self-reported questionnaires.ResultsOne thousand four hundred and eleven pupils were present at each of the data collection sessions and completed all the questionnaires, representing 54.4% girls, initially aged 12.7 ± 0.6 years (average ± S.D.). On the whole, 13.8% never practised sport except physical education, 44.7% always practised an extracurricular sport and 41.5% did some from time to time. The reported school results are higher among regular athletes (P < 0.001). It is the regularity more than the number of hours per week, which explains this difference.ConclusionPractice of a physical activity by adolescents would deserve being largely encouraged, taking into account its beneficial effects not only on health, but also on academic performances. Parents and teachers, as well as health professionals, should be strongly informed.