Chapter 1

Introduction
Health is one the vital moderating factor in students’ ability to learn aside from their
academic performance. Students’ engagement in physical activity is one of the significant factors
considered by the teachers in planning and facilitating various learning experiences. The idea that
healthy children learn better is empirically supported and well accepted ( Basch, 2010). Many studies
proved that health benefits are connected with physical activity including cardiovascular and
muscular fitness, bone health, psychosocial outcomes, intellectual and brain health (Strong et al.,
2005;).
Optimal health and wellness among eleventh graders are interrelated to physical activity and
physical fitness. According to the studies of Piggin 2020, physical activity is define as “people moving,
acting and performing within culturally specific spaces and contexts, and influenced by a unique
array of interests,emotions, ideas, instructions and relationships. Morover, Olubayo-Fatiregun
Ayodele and Olorunisola (2014), stated that regular physical activity and exercise are critically
significant for the health, fitness and well-being of people.
Regular physical activity contribute to the fitness and health of an individual. It can be
manifested in three major ways. First, it can prevent illness or diseases. There are considerable
evidences that the risk of having medical conditions can be greatly reduced among people who do
regular physical activity and achieve good physical fitness. Physical activity plays an important role
in controlling chronic diseases, much like immunization controlled infectious diseases.
Secondly, physical activity and fitness can be a significant contributor to disease/illness
treatment. Regular exercise and good fitness have been proven to be effective in relieving
symptoms and aiding rehabilitation after illness for medical conditions as diabetes, heart attack,
back pain and others.
Lastly, engaging in physical activity and fitness are methods of health and wellness
promotion. They contribute to quality living associated with wellness, the positive component of
good health.
Individuals who are engaged in physical activities can minimize their risk of illness or death.
Active people, who followed minimum guidelines for physical activities, increase their life
expectancy for several years.

People who do regular physical activity can reduce their risk of death, regardless of the
cause. Active people
increase their life expectancy by two years compared to those who are inactive

The relationship of physical activity and physical fitness to cognitive and brain health and to
academic performance is the subject of this chapter.

and multiple studies have confirmed that health benefits are associated with physical
activity, including cardiovascular and muscular fitness, bone health, psychosocial outcomes, and
cognitive and brain health (Strong et al., 2005;)
 Although academic performance stems from a complex interaction between intellect and
contextual variables, health is a vital moderating factor in a child's ability to learn.