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Exercise Improves Academic Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Alexander W. Cappelen
  • Gary Charness
  • Mathias Ekström
  • Uri Gneezy
  • Bertil Tungodden

Abstract

In a randomized controlled trial, we test whether removal of a barrier to exercise can improve academic performance. We find strong support for this hypothesis: University students who were provided with a free gym card exercised more and had a significant improvement in academic performance. The treated students were less likely to drop out of classes and to fail at the exam. We provide evidence showing that exercise caused a healthier lifestyle and increased perceived self-control, which ultimately improved academic performance. The study demonstrates that removing barriers to physical activity can be an important tool for improving educational achievements.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander W. Cappelen & Gary Charness & Mathias Ekström & Uri Gneezy & Bertil Tungodden, 2026. "Exercise Improves Academic Performance," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 134(1), pages 397-434.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/738251
    DOI: 10.1086/738251
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    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Phipps, Aaron & Amaya, Alexander, 2023. "Are students time constrained? Course load, GPA, and failing," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. 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).
    8. Stephanie A. Heger & Robert Slonim, 2022. "Altruism Begets Altruism," CESifo Working Paper Series 9522, CESifo.
    9. Spika, Devon & Wickström Östervall, Linnea & Gerdtham, Ulf & Wengström, Erik, 2024. "Put a bet on it: Can self-funded commitment contracts curb fitness procrastination?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    10. 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.
    11. 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.

    More about this item

    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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