This study examined associations between adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen time, and sleep) and academic achievement in school-aged children.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Setting
Elementary schools in Hangzhou, China.
Sample
Sample of 268 children aged 8-12 years (52% boys).
Measures
MVPA and sleep duration were measured using accelerometers, while screen time was self-reported. Academic achievement was assessed through grades in Chinese, Math, and English, standardized into Z-scores. Covariates included age, sex, school location, and body mass index z-score.
Analysis
Multiple linear regression was conducted to assess associations between combinations of adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines and academic achievement.
Results
Meeting two or more recommendations was significantly associated with higher overall academic achievement compared to those meeting none (P < 0.05). Specifically, adherence to the screen time guideline only (β = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.64) and combined adherence to both screen time and sleep guidelines (β = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.69) were positively associated with overall academic achievement. For subject-specific Z-scores, meeting at least two guidelines was linked to higher achievement in Chinese and Math (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Adherence to multiple 24-hour movement guidelines, particularly limiting recreational screen time, is associated with higher academic achievement in school-aged children. These findings highlight the potential value of integrated movement behavior strategies for educational outcomes and underscore the need for longitudinal research to clarify underlying mechanisms.
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