Previous research has shown positive relationships between fitness level and different cognitive abilities and academic performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between logical-mathematical intelligence and mathematical competence with physical fitness in a group of pre-adolescents. Sixty-three children (50.79% girls; 49.21% boys) from Castro del Río (Córdoba, Spain), aged between 11 and 12 years (M = 11.44, SD = 0.64), participated in this research. The Superior Logical Intelligence Test (SLIT) and the EVAMAT 1.0-5 battery were used. Physical fitness was evaluated by the horizontal jump test, the 4×10 meter speed-agility test, and the Course Navette test. The analyses showed positive relationships between physical fitness with logical-mathematical intelligence and mathematical competence. Specifically, linear regression analyzes indicated that the 4×10 speed-agility test significantly predicted mathematical competence (R 2 = 0.16; β = -0.41) and the horizontal jump test significantly predicted logical-mathematical intelligence (R 2 = 0.24; β = 0.50). These results are in agreement with previous research, highlighting the importance of improving physical fitness from an early age due to its benefits for intellectual and academic development.
Keywords: exercise; logical–mathematical intelligence; mathematical competence; physical fitness; preadolescence.
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