Sports practice and academic performance in high school of the Federal Institute of Mato Grosso

Abstract

Objective: The present research aimed to verify if the sports participation in the games of the Federal Institute of Mato Grosso (IFMT) interferes in the academic performance of high school students. Methodology: The study students were divided into two groups according to their participation in the JIFMT. The sample consisted of 74 non-participating students (16.80 ± 1.22 years old) and 74 participating students (17.10 ± 1.25 years old) in the Jogos do Instituto Federal de Mato Grosso (JIFMT) from both the sexes. Data collection took place in 2018 at two different times: during the JIFMT for the participating students; after the JIFMT period via online for non-participating. Both groups answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and academic performance was obtained from the academic record provided by the institution itself. Our study is descriptive and cross-sectional. Statistical analyzes were used, followed by non-parametric inferential analyzes and comparison test. Results and discussion: The group of JIFMT participants showed similar academic performance to non-participants in the academic concept, so there was no loss or improvement. Participants in the competition (54.1%) consider themselves to be more physically active than non-participants (25.7%), in addition to having more engagement/pretentiousness in practicing physical activity. Conclusions: Participation in the games did not affect the academic performance of students, consequently, the JIFMT did not prevent students from achieving a similar academic performance to the group of non-participants.