During my freshman year of college, I struggled with my weight and in my second semester, my grades. I had mastered my academics in high school, but did not realize how much more time, organization and planning college would require.
I pulled through academically but the weight stuck around, so I knew I needed to put some more focus on my personal health.
In my sophomore year, I decided to take advantage of the free on-campus aerobics classes as well as pay to join the on-site fitness center. I was pleasantly surprised by how my efforts in the gym translated to better study habits and ultimately better grades.
It turns out that the experience of both my increased fitness and academic adventures happening simultaneously during the early '90s are supported by a recent study out of Michigan State University.
“New research shows that students who were members of the recreational sports and fitness centers during their freshman and sophomore years had higher GPAs than those who weren't. The research also indicated that students with memberships stayed in school longer, ” an article on ScienceDaily.com reported.
The study was conducted by the Department of Kinesiology, and was recently featured in the Recreational Sports Journal.
An increase of 3.5 percent in two-year retention rates was seen among this group. While this percentage may seem a bit low initially, study leader James Pivarnik equated that to more than 1500 students for a student population the size of Michigan State. That is a significant part of the student body that remained enrolled and could continue on past their sophomore year.
My professional fitness opinion is that by giving students a designated place on campus to do something good for themselves, you create a healthy sense of community.
“The research supports previous theories suggesting that by creating an environment that connects students to an institution, in this case a university recreational facility, an increase in academic success and retention can occur,” Pivarnik was reported as saying.
Nearly 75 percent of students participating in recreational sports and belonging to fitness centers excelled towards a third year of college as opposed to 60 percent of those who do not belong.
There was also a small increase in the cumulative GPA, for the so-called active group. Researchers say that this is significant because it could mean the difference between whether they will be accepted into grad school or not.
In fact, Michigan State University is touting their own study results to entice students to get moving. especially at their fitness facility.
Taking part in recreational activities is linked with being successful as a student. This affects academic success in regards to credits completed, grade point averages, and class standing. It can also affect a student's first to second and first to third year retention.
Sources:
“Want a higher GPA in college? Join a gym – ScienceDaily.com.” Science Daily. Web 16 July 2014.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140710130902.htm
“Academic Success: The Role of Campus Recreation Fitness Facilities – VPS.MSU.EDU.” Michigan State University. Web 16 July 2014.
http://www.vps.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Recreation%202012.pdf
Joanne Sgro-Killworth is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist and Publicist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training.
Joanne's fitness plans, recipes and lifestyle advice are available globally on her website http://www.happiwoman.com/. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area with her husband and son, where she runs her fitness and publicity business, JSK PR, http://www.jskpr.com/
Reviewed July 17, 2014
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith