Physical activity has been recognized as an essential element for the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Therefore, this systematic review delves into the study of the relationship between extracurricular physical activity (PA) academic achievement (AA), and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among students aged 3–16 years. This systematic review was guided by adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The review included studies that evaluated PA as an independent variable and its impact on academic performance (AP) through mediation models, structural equations, and multiple regression analyses. The key mediators identified between PA and AA include cognitive function, psychological well-being, and social factors. Cognitive self-regulation, attention, memory, self-efficacy, and self-esteem are key mediators between PA and AA as well as sleep patterns and a healthy lifestyle. In conclusion, extracurricular PA significantly influenced AA, and its influence was mediated by various cognitive, psychological, and social factors. These results support the inclusion and promotion of PA in educational settings, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals by improving AA and overall student well-being.

This paper presents the main results of the Kids in Action (KIA) project, which aimed to promote physical activity and sport among children aged 3 to 11, by linking the education, sports, and family sectors. It applies the concepts of proximity consumption and the 15-min city to sustainable and healthy habits. This study aims to evaluate the application of the concept of proximity to the provision of physical sports activities from an early age to reduce the drop-out rate of PA through collaboration between schools, local government, and the sports sector. A mixed methodology was used, applying a survey and interviews with the stakeholders to identify good practices when promoting physical activity at an early age. A total of 147 children and 10 adults (3 family members, 4 school managers or teachers, and 3 sports managers) participated. The main results included the importance of introducing sport and providing adequate facilities, namely through guided workshops. It influences not only the actual participation in sport but also the intention to continue practicing it. It is observed that children with less affinity for conventional sports benefit particularly from initiatives such as the KIA program. On the other hand, the lack of available resources and the influence of sports culture in families are considered the main barriers. They are factors that harm the quality of participation.

This article presents the main results of the Kids in Action (KIA) project, which aimed to promote physical activity and sport among children aged 3 to 11, by linking the education, sports and family sectors. It applies the concepts of proximity consumption and the 15-minute city to sustainable and healthy habits. This study aims to evaluate the application of the concept of proximity to the provision of physical sports activities from an early age, to reduce the drop-out rate of PA, through collaboration between schools, local government and the sports sector. A mixed methodology was used, applying a survey and interviews with the stakeholders to identify good practices in the promotion of physical activity at an early age. A total of 147 children and 10 adults (3 family members, 4 school managers or teachers and 3 sports managers) participated. The main results included the importance of introducing sport and providing adequate facilities, especially through guided workshops, as this not only influences the actual participation in sport but also the intention to continue practising it. It is observed that children with less affinity towards conventional sports benefit particularly from initiatives such as the KIA programme. On the other hand, the lack of available resources and the influence of the sports culture in families are identified as the main barriers, factors that harm the quality of participation.