Physically active boys are more likely to perform better in school, according to a recent study.

Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland have found that higher levels of physical activity are related to better academic achievement during the first three school years particularly in boys, The Business Standard reported.

For the study, researchers investigated the relationships of different types of physical activity and sedentary behaviors assessed in the first grade to reading and arithmetic skills among 186 Finish children.

Higher levels of physical activity at recess were related to better reading skills. Researchers also found that participation in organized sports was linked to higher arithmetic test scores in the first grade. Particularly boys with higher levels of physical activity, and especially walking and bicycling to and from school, had better reading skills than less active boys.

Furthermore, boys who spent more time doing activities involving reading and writing on their leisure time had better reading skills compared to boys who spent less time doing those activities. Moreover, boys with more computer and video game time achieved higher arithmetic test scores than boys with less computer and video game time.

In girls, there were only few associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with academic achievement when various confounding factors were controlled for.

Researchers said boys' school success may benefit from higher levels of physical activity and active school transportation, reading and writing as well as moderate computer and video game use.

The study highlights the positive affects physical activity can have on school performance.

The findings were recently published in the journal PLOS ONE.