Sports and academic performance: associations contributing to the (un)success of student-athletes

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v75.116930

Keywords:

Academic success, school, sports, students, systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: The practice of physical activities, especially sports, plays a crucial role in promoting health and the holistic development of children and adolescents. However, the relationship between participation in sports and academic performance continues to generate controversies, with studies presenting divergent results regarding its positive or negative impact on the academic performance of student-athletes.

Objective: To analyze associations between sports practice and academic performance of student-athletes.

Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the number CRD42023464165. Searches were carried out between August and September 2023 in the electronic databases MedLine (via PubMed), ERIC, LILACS (via BVS), and SciELO.

Results: Of the 3,306 publications found through database searching, 13 studies were considered eligible. The samples varied between 52 and 27,954 students, with an average age ranging from 6 to 19 years, for a total of 41,028 students investigated. It was found that sports, due to their characteristics, could reduce deviant behaviors in the school environment, improving teamwork and developing greater responsibility, engagement, and commitment among student-athletes.

Conclusions: The studies showed that student-athletes tended to present better academic performance compared to non-sporting students, revealing positive connections between regular sports practice and improved results in the exams to which the student-athletes were subjected.

Author Biographies

  • Jaime Della Corte, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

    Director IV / Physical Education Teacher of the Municipal Secretary of Education of Rio de Janeiro (SME) / City Hall of the City of Rio de Janeiro (PCRJ);

    Member of the Research Group on School, Sports, and Culture (GPEEsC);

    Master's in Physical Education from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (PPGEF/UFRJ);

    Specialist in Human Anatomy and Biomechanics from Castelo Branco University (UCB/RJ);

    Specialist in Knowledge and Practices in Basic Education with an emphasis on School Physical Education from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (FE/UFRJ);

    Specialist in Human Performance Sciences from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (EEFD/UFRJ);

    Specialist in Weight Training and Strength Training from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (EEFD/UFRJ);

    Bachelor's and Licentiate Degree in Physical Education from Castelo Branco University (UCB/RJ).

  • Guilherme Tucher, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

    Assistant Professor at the School of Physical Education and Sports (EEFD) of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ);

    Leader of the Research Group in Aquatic Sports Sciences (GPCEA);

    Doctorate in Sports Sciences from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD/Portugal);

    Master's in Human Motor Science from Castelo Branco University (UCB/RJ);

    Specialist in High-Performance Sports from the Brazilian Olympic Institute (IOB) of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB);

    Specialist in Municipal Public Management from the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO);

    Specialist in Sports Training from Gama Filho University (UGF/RJ);

    Specialist in Swimming and Aquatic Activities from Gama Filho University (UGF/RJ);

    Bachelor's and Licentiate Degree in Physical Education from the Higher Education Institute of the Municipality of Itaperuna (ISEMI).

  • Felipe da Silva Triani, Rio de Janeiro State University

    Professor of the Master's and Doctoral Programs in Exercise and Sport Sciences at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (PPGCEE/UERJ) and the Graduate Program in Education at Estácio de Sá University (PPGE/UNESA);

    Leader of the Laboratory of Studies and Research in Social Representations in Teacher Education (LAGERES);

    Member of the Research Group on School, Sports, and Culture (GPEEsC);

    Postdoctoral Researcher at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), and the State University of Maringá (UEM);

    PhD in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the State University of Rio de Janeiro (PPGCEE/UERJ);

    Master's in Humanities, Cultures, and Arts from the University of Grande Rio (Unigranrio);

    Specialist in Athletics from Unyleya College;

    Specialist in Sports Psychology from the International University Center (Uninter);

    Bachelor's and Licentiate Degree from the University of Grande Rio (Unigranrio).

  • Renato Cavalcanti Novaes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

    Professor of Basic, Technical, and Technological Education at the Brazilian Navy Command (MB) at the Almirante Alexandrino Instruction Center (CIAA) and the Almirante Adalberto Nunes Physical Education Center (CEFAN);

    Member of the Research Group on School, Sports, and Culture (GPEEsC);

    Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institutional Postdoctoral Program (PIPD) of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ);

    PhD in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the State University of Rio de Janeiro (PPGCEE/UERJ);

    Master's in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the State University of Rio de Janeiro (PPGCEE/UERJ);

    Specialist in Sports Training from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (EEFD/UFRJ);

    Bachelor's and Licentiate Degree from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

  • Leonardo Carmo Santos, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

    Elementary Education Teacher - Physical Education at the Municipal Secretary of Education of Rio de Janeiro (SME) / City Hall of the City of Rio de Janeiro (PCRJ);

    Elementary Education Teacher - Physical Education at the Municipal Education Foundation (FME) / City Hall of Niterói, working with bilingual classes in LIBRAS/Portuguese;

    Member of the Research Group on School, Sports, and Culture (GPEEsC);

    Member of the Laboratory for Studies on Violence, Sports, and Physical Education (LEVEEF);

    Member of the Action-Research Group on Sports and Ethnic-Racial Relations (NUPAERER);

    PhD student in Physical Education at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (PPGEF/UFRJ);

    Master's in Physical Activity Sciences from Salgado de Oliveira University (UNIVERSO);

    Specialization in School Physical Education from the Brazilian Society of Instruction (SBI) of Candido Mendes University (UCAM);

    Bachelor's and Licentiate Degree in Physical Education from Gama Filho University (UGF/RJ).

  • Caio Cesar Serpa, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

    Elementary Education Teacher - Physical Education at the Municipal Secretary of Education of Rio de Janeiro (SME) / City Hall of the City of Rio de Janeiro (PCRJ);

    Member of the Research Group on School, Sports, and Culture (GPEEsC);

    Member of the Vitor Marinho Studies and Research Group (GEPVITORMARINHO);

    PhD student in Physical Education at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (PPGEF/UFRJ);

    Master's in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the State University of Rio de Janeiro (PPGCEE/UERJ);

    Bachelor's and Licentiate Degree in Physical Education from the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ).

  • Juliana Brandão Pinto de Castro, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências do Exercício e do Esporte (PPGCEE), Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)

    Licenciatura Plena em Educação Física pela Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). Doutorado em Ciências do Exercício e do Esporte (PPGCEE/UERJ). Mestre em Alimentação, Nutrição e Saúde (Instituto de Nutrição/UERJ). Professora do Departamento de Ciências da Atividade Física (DCAF), do Instituto de Educação Física e Desportos (IEFD/UERJ).

  • Silvio de Cassio Costa Telles, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

    Associate Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Prodocência Fellow, working in the Graduate Program in Physical Education (PPGEF/UFRJ) and the Graduate Program in Exercise and Sport Sciences (PPGCEE/UERJ), supervising Master's and Doctoral students;

    Leader of the Research Group on School, Sports, and Culture (GPEEsC);

    Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Research and Advanced Training (IIFA) of the University of Évora (UE/Portugal);

    PhD in Physical Education from Gama Filho University (UGF/RJ);

    Master's in Physical Education from Gama Filho University (UGF/RJ);

    Specialist in High-Level Training Sciences from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ);

    Specialist in Higher Education Teaching from the Brazilian Society of Instruction (SBI) of Candido Mendes University (UCAM);

    Specialist in School Administration from the Brazilian Society of Instruction (SBI) of Candido Mendes University (UCAM);

    Bachelor's and Licentiate Degree in Physical Education from the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ).

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Published

02-02-2026

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Vol. 75 (2026)

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Theoretical systematic reviews and/or meta-analysis

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Copyright (c) 2025 Jaime Della Corte, Guilherme Tucher, Felipe da Silva Triani, Renato Cavalcanti Novaes, Leonardo Carmo Santos, Caio Cesar Serpa, Juliana Brandão Pinto de Castro, Silvio de Cassio Costa Telles

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Della Corte, J., Tucher, G., Triani, F. da S., Novaes, R. C., Santos, L. C., Serpa, C. C., Castro, J. B. P. de, & Telles, S. de C. C. (2026). Sports and academic performance: associations contributing to the (un)success of student-athletes. Retos, 75, 199-219. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v75.116930