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Exercise Improves Academic Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Cappelen, Alexander W

    (The Choice Lab)

  • Charness, Gary

    (University of California)

  • Ekström, Mathias

    (The Choice Lab)

  • Gneezy, Uri

    (University of California)

  • Tungodden, Bertil

    (The Choice Lab)

Abstract

We report the results of a randomized controlled trial testing whether incentivizing physical exercise improves the academic performance of college students. As expected, the intervention increases physical activity. The main result is that it generates a strong and significant improvement in academic performance, particularly for students who struggled at the baseline in terms of lifestyle habits. We also provide evidence on the underlying mechanisms: Students who were incentivized to exercise have a healthier life style and improved self-control. Overall, the study demonstrates that incentivizing students to exercise can be an important tool in improving educational achievements.

Suggested Citation

  • Cappelen, Alexander W & Charness, Gary & Ekström, Mathias & Gneezy, Uri & Tungodden, Bertil, 2017. "Exercise Improves Academic Performance," Working Paper Series 1180, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:iuiwop:1180
    Note: Economics of education; Human capital formation; Behavior change; Field experiment
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Bjorvatn, Kjetil & Ekström, Mathias & Pires, Armando J. Garcia, 2021. "Setting goals for keystone habits improves labor market prospects and life satisfaction for unemployed youth: Experimental evidence from Norway," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 1109-1123.
    2. Kyulee Shin & Sukkyung You & Mihye Kim, 2021. "A Comparison of Two-Stage Least Squares (TSLS) and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) in Estimating the Structural Relationship between After-School Exercise and Academic Performance," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(23), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Phipps, Aaron & Amaya, Alexander, 2023. "Are students time constrained? Course load, GPA, and failing," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    4. Fricke, Hans & Lechner, Michael & Steinmayr, Andreas, 2018. "The effects of incentives to exercise on student performance in college," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 14-39.
    5. Heger, Stephanie A. & Slonim, Robert, 2022. "Giving begets giving: Positive path dependence as moral consistency," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 699-718.
    6. Homonoff, Tatiana & Willage, Barton & Willén, Alexander, 2020. "Rebates as incentives: The effects of a gym membership reimbursement program," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    7. Stephanie A. Heger & Robert Slonim, 2022. "Altruism Begets Altruism," CESifo Working Paper Series 9522, CESifo.
    8. Gneezy, Uri & Kajackaite, Agne & Meier, Stephan, 2020. "Incentive-Based Interventions," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, pages 523-536.
    9. Kjersti Karoline Danielsen & Danielle Cabral & Silje Halvorsen Sveaas, 2023. "“Students Moving Together”, Tailored Exercise for Students Facing Mental Health Challenges—A Pilot Feasibility Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-14, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    C93; I12; I18; I21; Z20;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • Z20 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - General

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