Relationship Between Physical Fitness and Academic Performance Among Students of the University of Maiduguri, North East Nigeria

Background: Physical fitness positively influences cognitive function through mechanisms including enhanced cerebral blood flow, neuroplasticity, and mood regulation. Among Nigerian university students facing significant academic pressures in a post-conflict environment, the relationship between fitness levels and academic achievement is underinvestigated. Objectives: This study seeks to assess aerobic fitness, muscular endurance, and flexibility among undergraduates at the University of Maiduguri and to examine their associations with cumulative grade point average as an academic performance index. Methods: One hundred and fifty students will be recruited by stratified random sampling. Aerobic fitness will be estimated using the 20-metre multi-stage shuttle run test. Muscular endurance will be assessed by timed push-up and sit-up tests. Flexibility will be measured by the sit-and-reach test. Cumulative grade point averages will be obtained from faculty records with student consent. Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression will model fitness-academic associations. Expected Outcomes: Students with higher aerobic fitness and muscular endurance are anticipated to demonstrate significantly better grade point averages, with aerobic capacity emerging as the strongest single predictor after controlling for study time and sleep duration. Conclusion: Findings will support physical activity integration into student wellness programmes at Nigerian universities in post-conflict settings. Keywords: physical fitness, academic performance, aerobic capacity, university students, Maiduguri.