Physical Activity and School Achievement and School Absence in Norwegian Adolescents

Abstract

There is emerging evidence of an association between physical activity and school functioning, but the nature of the association in late adolescence is uncertain. This study investigates the association between self-reported physical activity and register-based school achievement and school absence in 7,730 Norwegian adolescents aged 16–18. There was a graded positive association between physical activity and school achievement, and a graded negative association between physical activity and school absence. The association was strongest at lower levels until reaching a point of saturation at four days of physical activity, indicating the importance of promoting physical activity for the least active adolescents.