I.

Table of Contents

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Scope of the topic............................................................................................................................ 3 Motivation and Concentration of students .................................................................................... 4 Positive effects of sport ................................................................................................................... 5 Relation between sport and the academic success of students ..................................................... 6 Outlook ............................................................................................................................................ 7

II. Bibliography ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Declaration

1. Scope of the topic

Since the time of the ancient Greeks, there has been an implicit belief that physical activity is linked to intellectual abilities. However, the relation between exercise and childrens mental function has not, until relatively recently, been systematically evaluated.1 This academic work deals with the relationship of sport and the psychological effect on students. Especially this piece of work ascertains if exercise affect the motivation and concentration of students in a positive way. The topic is of special interest for all students and prospective students, because it regards their academic success. Furthermore it is also interesting for the teachers or professors of the university. They can reconsider or change their sport program if it exist a proof that students achieve higher academic performance by doing sports. The main body of this work consist three parts. Firstly it is explained what motivation and concentration signify and that it is one of the major quality characteristics that students need. The second part shows some of the numerous positive effects of sport, but has its focus mainly on the psychological aspects. Building upon this the third chapter brings the first and the second together and deals with the main question of this work, the relation between sports and students academic success. Tough the emphasis is the effect of athletic activity on the students motivation and concentration. To point out this relationship is also the main aim of this academic work.

Tomporowski, P.D., (2007): p. 1.

2. Motivation and Concentration of students

Motivation is a process, which we infer from actions. These actions develop from goals that are also involved in motivation. Motivation has the idea of movement, it keeps us going, makes us working and helps us to achieve our goals.2 There exist different types of motivation, such as intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, achievement motivation and learning motivation. This work manly focuses on achievement and learning motivation. Efficient, active and independent learning requires motivation of the students, so motivation is a really important characteristic that students need.3Furthermore educational research shows, that there is a link between the achievement results of students and the differences in motivation.4 The question is where the differences in motivation come from. Motivation, like personality, is a concept that covers the whole range of behavior5 Most of the students have a need for achievement and success in life, but this need is altered for everybody.6 Referring to the expectancy-value motivation theory by Eccles, achievement motivation is related to expectancies for future success and to the value of the task. The individual decides how important, useful or interesting a task is, so what the value of the task is. Accordingly the value of the task has a major impact on the achievement motivation of the students.7

In addition to motivation, concentration is also an influential factor for students success.8 Educational research shows that disappointing academic results are quite often attributed to a lack of motivation or concentration, rather than to missing competences.9 The ability to concentrate is the deciding factor in school, university and the professional world. However lots of students have difficulties to concentrate. Analyses have founded various things that affect attentiveness disorder, for instance a lack of self-discipline, intrinsic or extrinsic avocation, stress or physical ailment. In contrast there are also many things that can improve the concentration of students, for example control of intrinsic and extrinsic impulse, ideal study technique, support of family and friend as well as physical well being.10 Consequently it is very likely that sport has also an impact on students concentration, because it is linked to physical well being. In the next chapter the positive effects of sport will be explained.

2 3

Cf. Schunk, D.H et al (2009): p.4. Cf. Perrot, L.J et al. (2001): p.1. 4 Cf. Lens, W. et al. (2005): p.275. 5 Steinmayr, R. a. Spinath, B.,(2007):p.208. 6 Cf. Steinmayr, R. a. Spinath, B.,(2007):p.207ff. 7 Cf. Steinmayr, R. a. Spinath, B.,(2007):p.207ff. 8 Cf. Leopold-Wildburger, U. and Schtze, J. (2010): p. 13ff. 9 Cf. Lens, W., et al. (2005): p.275. 10 Cf. Kaltwasser, V. (2008),p: 45ff.

3. Positive effects of sport

Regular athletic activity can cause plenty of positive consequences on physical and psychological well being. Several studies, articles and analyses prove the connection between continuous athletic activity and health.11 Particularly endurance sport has many positive effects on health, for instance it improves the cardiovascular system, the immune system and the nervous system.12 Sport in general has so many different effects on the human body that consequently this work has to set a point of convergence. Accordingly this piece of work will primarily focus on endurance sport and the impact on psychological well being. Already the old Greeks and Romans taught that there must be a healthy body to have a healthy mind.13 Since a long time ago, scientists divined that there must be a close correlation between physical and mental functions, but they could not prove it. In the beginning of the eighties, scientific experiments proved this correlation, in particular the interaction of the immune system and the feeling and thinking.14 Negative human conditions, such as anger, exhaustion and depression can be alleviated by sports and positive human conditions like liveliness, calmness and vitality can be supported. However, this effect of support or alleviating is more effective for individuals who are in a bad mood, than for others who are in a good mood. Additionally these effects occur primarily with moderate athletic activity and less often, or less effective, with irregular or exceeding activity.15 Different test results show, maximum performance in endurance sport, has a really short effect on the psyche, due to the abrupt release of endorphin. In contrast, medium and regular performance in endurance sport, causes a feeling of happiness, lasting up to four hours. This effect occurs because of the right proportion of receptors and endorphins.16 Moreover, sport has also a positive outcome on stress. Stress develops if internal or external requirements claim the whole individual. This leads to the result that the capabilities of the person are fully exploit and stress accrues. The study of Dishman and Jackson in 2000 shows the interplay between sports and the apperception of requirements. Sport sustains the available resources and has a balancing function, thus people get a different percipience of their tasks and duties. Consequently they are less stressed.17

11 12

Cf. Peffer, I. (2010): p. 6. Cf. Hottenrott, K. a. Neumann, G. (2008) p. 186 ff. 13 Cf. Boos, A. (2010): p. 100. 14 Cf. Findeisen, D.G.R, (1994),: p. 9. 15 Cf. Peffer, I. (201c0): p. 8 ff. 16 Cf. Findeisen, D.G.R, (1994): p. 146. 17 Cf. Fuchs, R. (2003): p. 93 ff.

4. Relation between sport and the academic success of students

Building upon the last chapter, there is no doubt, that sport has enormous impact on the human body, both physical and psychological. Subsequently this chapter will demonstrate to what extend this is useful for the academic success of students, especially for their motivation and concentration. As already explained above, the relation between body and mind is obvious. If a student comes to an exam and doesnt feel well, he will probably not achieve his maximum performance. In contrast to that, if the student feels good, is healthy and practice some sport on top, the chances to achieve good results, are much higher. The brains of fit, athletic and active people work faster and more efficient, accordingly to Dr. Ralf Reinhardt, scientist from the University of Ulm. In several studies from 2005 till 2008 he and his team analyzed if the achievement and the performance of the students at the university of Ulm changed by doing sport. Before they started the experiment, the scientist tested the mental capability of the students, for example their concentration or how fast they memorize vocabulary. Afterwards they divided the group into two, one group should go for a regular run, 3 times a week, the other group should not do any sports at all. After six weeks the scientists tested the students again and the result was definite. Just after six weeks, the students who practice endurance sport continuously, were in a positive mood, their ability to concentrate increased fundamental and their spatial imagination improved.18 Furthermore the mental attention of students is much higher, after a doing one hour exercise and then start studying again, than after a lesson of biology for example, this points out, the importance of a sport program in university.19 Adolescents who practice sport regularly, attain higher educational achievement, than their inactive contemporaries. This relationship was proved, for the first time, for Germany, by a study in 2007. The result of the study was that the attendance of extracurricular sport increases the feasibility of successful university studies about six percent. Furthermore the study shows that this effect is especially for active women very beneficial. The interpretation of economists is that the athletic women, gain more self-confidence and assertiveness by doing sport. However, there are also negative aspects in the relationship between sport and education. The study also figured out that too much sport derogates the academic education. The competitive athlete is unlikely more successful in higher educational achievement than the not sporty individual. Nevertheless the conclusion of the scientist is clear without ambiguity, adolescents should exercise more often, not only because of health aspects, but also for the rise of their educational expectations.20 Moreover, universities show an accretive interest for sport and tournaments as well. In the past, at universities in Europe, the only function of sport was to have some leisure activity and also it was seen as beneficial for the integration of small groups. Whereas, the American universities noticed the importance of sport for students success much earlier, which is the reason why these universities are very competition orientated. Without ignoring the risks of sport, for instance injuries, scientist determined that schools and universities with a high focus on sport and competition in sport, show better academic achievement.21

18 19

Cf. Meinhardt, M. (2009): Online in the Internet. Cf. Nitsch, J.R. et al. (1981): p 528 ff. 20 Cf. Podbregar, N. et al. (2007): Online in the Internet. 21 Cf. Findeisen, D.G.R. (1994): p. 119.

5. Outlook
All in all it can be said, that sport has a huge implicit on the students behavior and their academic success.22 Chapter two outlines the effects of sport it improves the physical and psychological well being in many different ways.23 However this increase of the individual well being is only effective, if the athletic activity is practiced regularly. Moreover it is most effective with endurance sport.24 The goal of this work was to show the relationship between sport and the motivation and concentration of students. As demonstrated in chapter one, motivation and concentration are two characteristics, which are largely responsible for students academic achievement.25 Proved by several studies, there is no doubt that the concentration of students improves by continuous exercising.26 In contrast, there exist no study that shows the direct link of sport and motivation of students. However, students are obviously higher motivated, if they are healthy, fit and can concentrate well on their tasks. Additionally negative feelings, for instance, exhaustion, depression or stress get controlled by doing sport.27 Subsequently the students have fewer problems and their motivation to success in their studies increases. In summary, regular exercise enhance the motivation of students, but in an indirect way.

22 23

Cf. Podbregar, N. et al. (2007): Online in the Internet. Cf. Peffer, I. (2010): p. 6. 24 Cf. Hottenrott, K. a. Neumann, G. (2008): p. 186 ff. 25 Cf. Lens, W. et al. (2005): p.275. 26 Cf. Meinhardt, M. (2009): Online in the Internet. 27 Cf. Peffer, I. (2010): p. 8 ff.

II. Bibliography Books:

Findeisen, D.G.R., (1994): Sport, Psyche und Immunsystem: ber die Zusammenhnge zwischen physischem und psychischem Wohlbefinden. Berlin. Frieling & Partner GmbH Fuchs, R. ( 2003): Sport, Gesundheit und Public Health. Hogrefe-Verlag Hottenrott, K. a. Neumann, G. (2008): Methodik des Ausdauertrainings. Schorndorf. Hofmann-Verlag Kaltwasser, V. (2008): Achtsamkeit in der Schule. Weinheim und Basel. Beltz Verlag Niermann, C. (2010): Vom Wollen und Handeln Selbstteuerung, sportliche Aktivitt und gesundheitsrelevantes Verhalten. Forum Sportwissenschaft, Band 22, Feldhaus Verlag Nitsch, J.R. et al. (1981): Stress: Theorien, Untersuchungen, Manahmen. Verlag Hans Huber Pfeffer, I. (2010): Motivationzur Verhaltensnderung im gesundheitsorientierten Sport. Berlin. Lehmanns Media Pintrich, P. R. a. Maehr, M.L. (2004): Motivating Students, Improving Schools: The Legacy of Carol Midgley. Volume 13. Elsevier Ltd Rolfsmeier, A. (2004): Gesundheitsfrderung durch Sport an einer Hochschule. Dissertations-und Habilitationsschriftreihen Band 11, Meyer& Meyer Verlag Schunk, D.H. et al. (2010): Motivation in Education. Third Edition. New Jersey. Pearson Education Weiner, B. (1984): Motivations-psychologie. Weinheim und Basel. Beltz Verlag

Articles:
Boos, A. (2010): Bewegung und Gedchtnis. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg Engeser, S. et al. (2005): Motivation, Flow-Erleben und Lernleistung in universitren Lernsettings. Zeitschrift fr Pdagogische Psychologie, Bern, Verlag Hans Huber Lens, W. et al. (2005): Study persistence and academic achievement as a function of the type of competing tendencies. European Journal of Education, Volume 3, 275 -287 Leopold-Wildburger, U. a. Schtze, J. (2010): Motivation und Konzentration, Berlin, Springerverlag McCaughtery, N. a. Rovegno I. (2001): Meaning and Movement: Exploring the Deep Connections to Education, Studies in Philosophy and Education, 20: 489-505, Kluwer Academic Publishers Moser, K. A. (2010): Die Effekte des Sporttreibens auf die kognitive Leistungsfhigkeit im schulischen Kontext. Inaugural-Dissertation zur Erlangung der Doktorwrde der Wirtschafts- und Verhaltenswissenschaftlichen Fakultt der Albert-Ludwigs-Universitt Freiburg i. Br.

Perrot, L.J. et al. (2001): Measuring Student Motivation in Health Professions Colleges. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 6: 193-203, Kluwer Academic Publishers. Steinmayr, R. a. Spinath, B. (2007): Predicting School Achievement from Motivation and Personality. Zeitschrift fr Pdagogische Psychologie, 21, 207-216 Tomporowski, P.D. et al. (2007): Exercise and Childrens Intelligence, Cognition and Academic Achievement, Springer Science and Business Media

Internet Sources:
Meinhardt, M. (2009): Bewegung bringt das Gehirn auf Trab. Nov 1st 2012 http://www.ard.de/mensch-alltag/sport-gehirnleistung//id=918676/vv=print/pv=print/nid=918676/did=1031858/8notde/index.html Podbregar, N. et al, (2007): Sport macht schlau: Studie belegt positive Wirkung sportlicher Aktivitten auf den Bildungserfolg. Nov 1st 2012 http://www.scinexx.de/wissen-aktuell-7399-2007-11-15.html