Breaking the Sedentary Cycle: Exploring the Link between Physical Activity and Academic Performance among Female College Students in Bangladesh

Most adults in Bangladesh do not meet the recommended levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA). This is exacerbated by the increasing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles, particularly among female students in a socio-culturally restrictive context. During the transition period, when young adults adopt independent lifestyle choices, reduced PA can impact their health and academic outcomes. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity (PA) and academic achievement among female students at a government college in Bangladesh. To understand the correspondence, the gendering and spatialising of Dhaka's urban landscape have been described using Tonkiss' (2005) ‘Geography of Gender.’ A cross-sectional design was employed, using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) endorsed by the World Health Organization to assess total PA in terms of metabolic equivalents (METs). A random sample of 300 female students participated in this study. A basic random sampling technique and a random number generator in MS Excel were utilised to carry out the procedure from the previously acquired student list. Work, travel, and recreational activities are assessed in accordance with WHO recommendations (2020a), resulting in a high compliance rate (93.7%) with WHO physical activity (PA) recommendations among female students, which is a noteworthy finding given the restrictive setting or context of PA for girls and women in Bangladesh. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between METs and academic achievement. Findings suggest that regular PA has a positive impact on the physical, mental, emotional, and academic development of students in Bangladesh. This study's significant positive correlation between PA and academic achievement emphasises the importance of educational institutions promoting PA through structured educational opportunities and inclusive initiatives such as non-credit courses, designated spaces for PA, and extracurricular sports programs.