Abstract:
Using a descriptive-correlational quantitative design, the relationship between physical fitness
and academic responsiveness was investigated among 238 health sciences students at LORMA Colleges.
Physical fitness was assessed by cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body
composition, while academic responsiveness covered academic performance, study habits, workload
management, and attention span via questionnaire. Results showed students had Good cardiovascular
endurance and flexibility, Poor muscular strength, and Very Good body composition. Academic
performance and study habits were rated as Good. Correlation analysis indicated that flexibility and body
composition were significantly linked to multiple aspects of academic responsiveness, including
performance, workload management, and attention span. Flexibility also showed a significant
relationship with study habits. Muscular strength was significantly associated only with attention span,
while cardiovascular endurance did not show significant correlations with any academic responsiveness
components. These findings suggest that flexibility and body composition, among other fitness
components, are notably linked to various aspects of academic responsiveness in health sciences
students. The study informs recommendations for targeted programs to improve physical fitness and
academic outcomes.
