The association between physical fitness and mathematics scores in elementary schools in Indonesia Dinar Dinangsit, Tatang Muhtar, Yogi Akin International Sports Studies. Physical Education and Sport in Indonesia – Perspectives from 2020 42 No. 3 (2020) https://doi.org/10.30819/iss.42-e.08     pp: 70-77     2020-12-11

The association between physical fitness and mathematics scores in elementary schools in Indonesia

Stichworte/keywords: mathematics achievement, primary children, physical education

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Abstract
A continual pressure within the educational system in Indonesia to focus on high levels of academic achievement is a major barrier to implementing an effective physical education curriculum in Indonesia. The conflict between the implementation of a movement based approach (MBA) and a sport based approach (SBA) presents another continuing problem. The current approach leads more to an orientation towards the acquisition of sport skills rather than the attainment of objectives of cognitive development. This study is aimed to reveal the association between the physical fitness and academic achievement of children in Sumedang, West Java. Four physical fitness test items and a specially constructed mathematics test were administered to 265 children from grades four and five. The ability of performance on the physical fitness tests to predict performance in mathematics was calculated by linear multipleregression analysis. The findings revealed that there was a significant association, although low, between the physical fitness components and mathematics achievement. Sit ups and squat jumps showed low partial correlations and the relationships for push ups and the 400 metre run were negative Limitations in the ability of the children to perform the tests were suggested as an explanation for the mixed results. It was argued that this weakness served to emphasise the importance of giving greater priority to physical education and the quality of its teaching within the school curriculum.