CORTEXA
← Browse
openalexFrontiers in Psychology2026-07-23Cited by 0

Fit to learn: health and lifestyle predictors of academic performance in sports studies undergraduates

Mario Kasović, Bruno Škrinjarić, Tomáš Vespalec, Petra Vita Kasović, Ana Crnjak

Introduction Academic achievement is typically treated as a single outcome, obscuring the differing demands of theoretical and practical coursework. We examined how health, sleep quality, fitness, energy drink consumption, and sport status relate to performance across course types. Methods Questionnaire data from 530 first-year kinesiology students (University of Zagreb, 2022/23–2024/25) were linked to official records of final grades in 11 courses. Ordinary least squares models with robust standard errors were estimated for overall GPA and six course-specific GPAs. Results Males scored 0.21 points lower than females, most markedly in theoretical courses. Better self-rated health and fitness predicted higher grades. Sleep quality was unrelated to overall GPA but positively associated with team-sport grades. Energy drink intake showed a U-shaped association; professional athletes underperformed in theoretical courses. Discussion Predictors of academic success operate differently across course types, supporting targeted academic support and health-promotion initiatives; the cross-sectional design precludes causal inference.

View free PDFSource page

Related papers

openalexFrontiers in Psychology2026-07-23

Technology-enhanced learning frequency and perceived academic acceleration in AI-mediated digital learning environments: self-efficacy as an indirect pathway and learning motivation as a boundary condition

Xuezhen Chen, Zexuan Qi, Yifan Ou

AI-mediated digital learning environments have transformed how students communicate with knowledge, access learning resources, and receive algorithmically generated feedback, thereby reshaping how they perceive the pace of academic progress.This study examines perceived academic…

View free PDFSource page
openalexFrontiers in Psychology2026-07-23

Cross-cultural validation of the sports performance questionnaire in Chinese adolescent football players: a confirmatory factor analysis study

Ying Shuai, Garry Kuan, Yee Cheng Kueh, S W Wang, Yan Sun

Background The assessment of sports performance in youth football requires culturally appropriate and psychometrically sound instruments. The Sports Performance Questionnaire (SPQ) was developed to evaluate performance-related characteristics in youth football players, but its cr…

View free PDFSource page
openalexFrontiers in Psychology2026-07-24

The association between academic emotions and self-efficacy among nursing undergraduates: a cross-sectional regression analysis

Lili Guo, Danfeng Yan, Chai Zh, Baotian Zhang, Meng Guo, Zhe Zhang, et al.

Background Based on the Control-Value Theory of Achievement Emotions, this study aimed to examine the associations between academic emotions and self-efficacy among nursing undergraduates, and to provide a theoretical basis for optimizing nursing education interventions. Methods…

View free PDFSource page
crossrefFrontiers in Psychology2026-07-03

Cognitive load, prior knowledge, and sustained learning intention in a generative-AI-supported digital cultural learning context

Hongqing Huang, Qiongxue Zhao, Buling Xia

Background Generative artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in learning as a source of explanation, feedback, and interactive support. However, it remains unclear how such support shapes learners' cognitive processing and their subsequent willingness to continue learni…

View free PDFSource page
crossrefFrontiers in Psychology2026-07-09

Divergent generative AI pathways in higher education: a parallel mediation analysis of autonomous use and human–machine synergy

Yan Cheng, Xinran Liu, Haibo Liu

Introduction The integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) into higher education has raised important questions regarding its influence on student learning outcomes. Drawing on Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) theory, this study examines how learning motivation (LM)…

View free PDFSource page
openalexFrontiers in Psychology2026-07-24

The impact of individual unfair treatment on their evaluation to government performance: the chain mediating effect of social trust and life satisfaction

Dan Chen, Binjie Wang, Liang Xu, Yulong Tang

Background Government performance evaluation serves as a critical measure of governmental work. Individuals play a pivotal role in evaluating government performance. Their perceptions and assessments of government performance hold significant guiding implications for optimizing a…

View free PDFSource page