Several studies have shown a positive relationship between physical activity and academic achievement (Smith & Lounsberry, 2009). However, this area of research is extremely limited in higher education. In addition, walking may improve weight and blood pressure (Albright & Thompson, 2006) and reduce the risk of heart disease and Type II diabetes (Johnson, 2005). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the inclusion of a steps walking program in a required wellness course on enrolled students' academic performance, body weight, blood pressure, body fat percentage and cardiorespiratory fitness.
Method
All students enrolled in a required university wellness course were invited to participate in a 12 week competitive, class-based, steps program. Students were encouraged to be physically active outside of class utilizing a steps program. Data collection, which occurred during the second and last weeks of the semester, included measuring participant body weight, body fat percentage, blood pressure and completion of the Rockport 1-mile walk test to estimate VO2. Participants were given the goal of reaching 10,000 steps per day and self-reported total number of steps taken each week via a course website. At the conclusion of the program, researchers collected data on the number of weeks each participant met the 10,000 steps a day goal. Semester and accumulative grade point average (g.p.a.), were gathered from university records.
Analysis/Results
A paired samples t-test compared data from pre- and post-tests (n=112). Results demonstrated improvement in VO2, blood pressure, and body composition, yet none were significant. Correlation measures did reveal positive relationships between total number of steps taken during the program and accumulative g.p.a, r = .344, semester g.p.a, r = .307, and VO2, r = .254 (all at p <.01). Results also indicated a relationship between students meeting the 10,000 steps per day goal and accumulative g.p.a r = .289, p <.01, and semester g.p.a r = .250, p <.01.
Conclusions
While student physiological measures demonstrated improvement during the course of the program, the lack of significant changes to VO2, weight, body composition, or blood pressure may be a result of the program's emphasis on overall personal wellness and not specifically on walking, weight loss, or blood pressure improvement. The program's 12 week time frame also may have been too short to document significant changes in these measures. The results do suggest a positive relationship between academic achievement and physical activity in post secondary students; therefore further research is warranted.