Date of Award

Spring 5-2019

Degree Type

Honors College Thesis

Department

Kinesiology

First Advisor

Jeffrey Parr

Advisor Department

Human Performance and Recreation; Kinesiology

Abstract

The correlation between grade point average (GPA) and physical activity has typically been researched in adolescents, but not a lot of research has focused on traditional college students. Previous research in adolescents has shown mixed outcomes, but there is still evidence that a positive correlation exists between physical activity and GPA. It is also believed that adolescents who are physically active tend to have better academic outcomes than their non-active counterparts as they mature. The primary purpose of our study was to examine the correlation between GPA and physical activity in students attending the College of Education and Human Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi. Through the use of a questionnaire administered via the Qualtrics database, students’ GPA, classification, physical activity levels, and moderation of exercise were measured. A total of 104 participants completed the survey with an equal variance across all schools in the College of Education and Human Sciences. Most students reported having a GPA above a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. A small positive correlation was found between GPA and physical activity, but this correlation was not significant. While these findings prove there is no correlation between physical activity and GPA in students within the College of Education and Human Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi, there is further research to be done in exploring the effect GPA has on academic performance in all collegiate scholars.

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