Physical Education to Improve Students' Academic Achievement: An Interdisciplinary Study
Abstract
Physical education plays a crucial role in shaping students’ cognitive, social, and emotional abilities. This study aims to analyze the relationship between physical education and students’ academic achievement through an interdisciplinary approach. Using the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, this research follows the guidelines of Kitchenham & Charters (2007) and the PRISMA 2020 protocol. Twenty national and international journal articles published between 2020 and 2025 were thematically analyzed to identify patterns linking physical activity, cognitive function, learning motivation, and academic outcomes. The findings reveal that physical education positively influences academic achievement through three key mechanisms: enhancing cognitive functions through physical activity, strengthening motivation and self-regulation, and applying interdisciplinary learning approaches that integrate physical and academic aspects. The review also indicates that physical education fosters social values and character development that support students’ academic success. Therefore, physical education should not be viewed merely as a physical activity but as a holistic learning medium that reinforces kinesthetic, cognitive, and emotional intelligence. The results of this study are expected to serve as a reference for curriculum development and educational policy focusing on the integration of physical fitness and academic excellence.
References
Baena-Morales, S., & Jerez-Mayorga, D. (2021). Sustainable development goals and physical education: A proposal for practice-based models. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 2129. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/4/2129
Carrete-Marín, N. (2023). Interdisciplinary approaches to physical education: A systematic review. University of Barcelona Repository. https://diposit.ub.edu/dspace/bitstream/2445/196731/1/733233.pdf
Cecchini, J. A., & Carriedo, A. (2020). Effects of an interdisciplinary approach integrating mathematics and physical education on mathematical learning and physical activity levels. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 39(1), 121–135. https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jtpe/39/1/article-p121.xml
Chiluwal, S., Bohara, K., Shahi, S. J., & Shrestha, M. L. (2024). Impact of physical activity on academic achievement of secondary level students in Kathmandu. Interdisciplinary Research in Education, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.3126/ire.v9i2.75029
Claver, F., Martínez-Aranda, L. M., & Conejero, M. (2020). Motivation, discipline, and academic performance in physical education: A holistic approach from achievement goal and self-determination theories. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1808. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01808/full
Cone, T. P., Werner, P. H., & Cone, S. L. (2009). Interdisciplinary elementary physical education. Human Kinetics Press.
Dato, B. G. (2025). Teacher’s practices, students’ motivation and performance in physical education among senior high school students in the Division of Northern Samar. Journal of Innovative Pedagogy, 12(2). https://www.jippublication.com/index.php/jip/article/view/540
Evans, R. R., & Sims, S. K. (2025). Health and physical education for elementary classroom teachers: An integrated approach. Routledge.
Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Jiménez-Parra, J. F., & Valero-Valenzuela, A. (2023). Impact of an interdisciplinary educational programme on students’ physical activity and fitness. Healthcare, 11(9), 1256. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/9/1256
Jurnal Pendidikan Olahraga Nusantara. (2023). Hubungan aktivitas fisik terhadap prestasi akademik siswa SMA: Studi interdisipliner pada sekolah berbasis olahraga. Jurnal Pendidikan Olahraga Nusantara, 8(2), 155–170.
Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan Indonesia. (2022). Peran pendidikan jasmani dalam peningkatan kemampuan kognitif dan akademik siswa di sekolah dasar. Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan Indonesia, 9(1), 47–61.
Kaittani, D., Kouli, O., & Derri, V. (2017). Interdisciplinary teaching in physical education. Asian Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Education, 5(2), 124–138. https://www.knepublishing.com/index.php/AJNE/article/view/1248/2703
Kitchenham, B., & Charters, S. (2007). Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering (Version 2.3). EBSE Technical Report, EBSE-2007-01, Keele University and Durham University Joint Report, United Kingdom.
https://www.elsevier.com/__data/promis_misc/525444systematicreviewsguide.pdf
Liu, Q. (2023). Interdisciplinary integration in physical education curriculum design and implementation: A study on the role and strategies. Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science. https://www.hillpublisher.com/UpFile/202311/20231128182441.pdf
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., ... Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Papaioannou, A., & Milosis, D. (2019). Interdisciplinary teaching of physics in physical education: Effects on students’ autonomous motivation and satisfaction. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 39(2), 156–170. https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jtpe/39/2/article-p156.xml
Qian, H., Ren, X., Wang, H., & Zou, Y. (2025). Global insights and key trends in physical literacy research: A bibliometric analysis and literature review from 2007 to 2024. Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Research, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S515715
San Martín González, P., & Moral García, J. E. (2025). Promotion of healthy habits in adolescents: An interdisciplinary study on motivation towards physical education, Mediterranean diet and physical activity. Behavioral Sciences, 15(6), 778. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/6/778
Shan, S. (2025). The impact of participation in school sports on academic performance and teamwork skills. Higher Colleges Educational Research Journal, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.61173/0ys3d047
Valentini, M., & Sbarbati, I. (2025). The effects of interdisciplinary teaching between mathematics and physical education: A systematic review. SIREF: Italian Journal of Educational Research. https://ojs.pensamultimedia.it/index.php/siref/article/view/7081
Yermakova, T., & Bondarenko, I. (2025). Inclusive education and interdisciplinary approaches to the environment, pedagogical support, and social development: A systematic review. Pedagogics, Psychology, Medical-Biological Problems of Physical Training and Sports, 29(2). https://www.sportpedagogy.org.ua/index.php/ppcs/article/view/3354
Zavydivska, N. N., Rymar, O. V., & Malanchuk, H. H. (2015). Innovative mechanisms of improvement of student’s physical education system on the basis of interdisciplinary connections. European Federation of Sports Universities Journal, 4(1), 116–123. https://efsupit.ro/images/stories/nr4.2015/Art116.pdf
Yilmaz, C., & Boz, H. (2024). Physical activity, executive function, and academic success: Evidence from middle school interventions. Education and Health, 42(3), 155–167.
Zhang, W., & Chen, L. (2023). Linking sports participation and academic achievement: A longitudinal interdisciplinary study in Asian schools. Journal of School Health Research, 15(4), 210–225.
| Keywords | : | |
| Galleys | : | |
| Published | : |
2025-12-07
|
| How to Cite | : |
Hamzah, A. (2025). Physical Education to Improve Students’ Academic Achievement: An Interdisciplinary Study. JURNAL MUARA OLAHRAGA, 8(1), 14–28. https://doi.org/10.52060/jmo.v8i1.3778
|
| Issue | : |
Section
Articles
|






.png)

_SCCC.png)
