SPORT PRACTICE AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF GIRLS AND BOYS IN SECONDARY EDUCATION

Abstract

The objective of the study was to identify the relationship between sport and academic success of young attending secondary school. A sample of 831 (9.5%) students were surveyed through a questionnaire, 490 girls (59%) and 341 boys (41%) of Madeira, Portugal. In general, the results show that girls have a higher academic achievement than boys. Female athletes have school failure rates significantly lower than boys, particularly at the federated sector. The academic success of young that play sports in school sector is no different from students who play sports in federated sector. The sports most practiced by young students were football, basketball and volleyball. However, the sport was not a variable that was associated with the change in rates of academic success of students.