The Effect of Structured Physical Activity on Concentration and Academic Achievement of Senior High School Students
Keywords:
structured physical activity, concentration, academic achievement, senior high school, cognitive functionAbstract
This study investigates the effect of structured physical activity on the concentration and academic achievement of senior high school students. A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test control group was employed, involving 60 students from two state senior high schools in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Participants were divided into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The experimental group underwent a 12-week structured physical activity program conducted three times per week with a duration of 45 minutes per session, while the control group followed the regular school physical education curriculum. Concentration was measured using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and the d2 Test of Attention, while academic achievement was assessed through semester examination scores across core subjects including Mathematics, Science, and Indonesian Language. The results revealed a statistically significant improvement in concentration levels among students in the experimental group, with mean scores increasing from 58.4 to 73.9 (p < 0.001). Academic achievement scores also showed significant improvement, with the experimental group recording a mean increase of 12.3 points compared to only 3.1 points in the control group (p < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive relationship between improved concentration and academic achievement (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that structured physical activity programs, when implemented consistently and systematically within the school environment, can substantially enhance cognitive function and academic outcomes. The study recommends the integration of structured physical activity programs into the daily schedule of Indonesian secondary schools as a complementary strategy to improve student learning performance.
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