Study Shows Benefit of Recreation to Academic Success

A new study from NC State University shows that physical activity equates to a higher likelihood of academic success.

The study, conducted by Dr. Heather Sanderson, Associate Director of University Recreation, and Dr. Jason DeRousie, Assistant Director of Assessment, analyzed the physical activity habits of more than 20,000 NC State students during the course of the 2013-14 academic year. Results indicated that every one hour increase in participation of recreational programs per week equated to a .06 increase in the student’s overall GPA.

“We wanted to predict if physical activity through collegiate recreation participation increased the odds of a higher GPA and retention,” Sanderson said. “Previous research looked at potential trends, not a prediction.”

The study is the first of its kind to establish a positive significant relationship between student GPA, credit completion, and likelihood of graduation with participation in collegiate recreation.

“Many studies did not include important control factors, meaning students who exercised may already have a higher GPA than students who do not participate,” Sanderson added.

Students who used gym services were also more likely to graduate. An increase of just one hour per week of participation in collegiate recreational programs and services also increased the odds of graduating more than by 50%.