Creativity and physical fitness in primary school-aged children

Pediatr Int. 2017 Nov;59(11):1194-1199. doi: 10.1111/ped.13391.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between creativity and physical fitness in elementary school children.

Method: Data were collected from 308 primary school students in southern Spain, ranging in age from 8 to 12 years (mean, 9.72 ± 1.25 years). They completed a fitness test battery, and the Prueba de Imaginación Creativa para Niños (PIC-N; Creative Imagination Test for Children) to analyze creativity.

Results: Significant differences were found between the sexes. Boys had better physical fitness but there were no sex differences in creativity. On clusters analysis, the highly creative groups had better physical fitness. Creativity was correlated with physical fitness. Aerobic capacity was a predictor of creativity.

Conclusion: There is an association between creativity and physical fitness in primary school children that may have important implications for academic achievement.

Keywords: childhood; cognitive; physical fitness; sex.

MeSH terms

  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • Creativity*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Educational Measurement
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Physical Fitness*
  • Schools / statistics & numerical data
  • Spain
  • Students / statistics & numerical data