BACKGROUND: Physical fitness in children and adolescents determines their health status and predicts if they are prone to co-morbidities that may extend in adulthood. The initial literature on the benefits of being physically fit were limited to the musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory systems. The recent trends have shown that physical fitness has an effect on the neurological system as well. Physical inactivity, childhood obesity and sedentary life in school going age is a growing threat to the health domain, across the world. The World Health Organization reports that 81% of the adolescents do not keep up to the daily recommendations of physical activity. In countries like India, a steady decline in the physical fitness has been seen, especially in the urban school children. This is because they spend an average of 8 to 9 hours weekly in additional tuitions or coaching classes. Their “play” time is being reduced and they are forced to “study” in those hours to keep up their academics in this competitive world.Considering physical inactivity to be a problem in today’s world and the growing evidences on physical fitness being related to cognition and academic performance, there is a need to explore more on these relationships. Thus, this study aims to find the correlation between physical fitness, academic performance and cognitive functions in adolescent urban school children.

HYPOTHESIS: There will be an association between physical fitness, academic performance and cognitive function.

CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: If an association is found between these three domains, it will help change one’s perspective about exams. Children will indulge more in physical activities. This will not only improve their physical health but also have an effect on the mental health.

FUTURE SCOPE: Further studies may include interventional programs in addition to the school physical training sessions to find the added benefits of a scheduled exercise program.