Effects of a school-based health intervention and crosssectional associations of schoolchildren’s academic performance, selective attention and health-related quality of life in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

This PhD project aims to investigate health indicators and the effect of a 20-week multicomponent school-based physical activity intervention. Our study sample included approximately 1000 fourth grade schoolchildren from disadvantaged primary schools in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The specific objectives were i) to explore cross-sectional associations and possible determinants of selective attention and academic performance; ii) to investigate the associations between health-related quality of life, self-reported physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness; iii) to evaluate the effect of a 20-week school-based physical activity intervention program on academic performance, selective attention and health-related quality of life.