The Associations Between Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Academic Performance: A Twin Study

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Genetics
• Educational Psychology
• Human Genetics

Background:

• Physical activity and academic performance are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
• Previous research indicates a link between physical activity and academic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate shared genetic and environmental variances between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and academic skills (spelling, essay writing, reading aloud, reading comprehension, mathematics) in early adolescence.
• To examine if genetic polymorphisms related to physical activity behavior influence academic skills.

Main Methods:

• Utilized quantitative genetic modeling and linear regression on data from 4,356-4,370 Finnish twins aged 12.
• Assessed academic skills via teacher reports and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) through self-reporting.
• Constructed polygenic scores for physical activity behavior using UK Biobank data.

Main Results:

• Weak but significant trait correlations (r = .05–.08) were observed between LTPA and academic skills, with mathematics showing the highest correlation.
• A significant genetic correlation (rA = .14) was found between LTPA and essay writing.
• Polygenic scores for physical activity showed correlations with reading comprehension, spelling, and essay writing, though these approached but did not reach statistical significance (P values = .09–.15).

Conclusions:

• Reading and writing skills demonstrate the strongest evidence for sharing a common genetic background with LTPA.
• Suggests a potential genetic overlap between physical activity engagement and literacy-related academic abilities.