Intro
Dr Karen Martin, School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia May 2010.
This publication has been updated with Brain boost: How sport and physical activity enhance children’s learning what the research is telling us (Martin, 2015).
Sport and physical activity participation are generally promoted for their positive impact on children’s physical and mental health.1 However, increased participation in sport and other forms of physical activity are also thought to lead to enhancement of cognitive functioning (information processing), memory, concentration, behaviour and academic achievement for children. The link between physical activity and academic achievement is of increasing interest in the field of education and sport.
Unfortunately, with increasing pressure on schools to ensure children achieve academic success, and the new practise of publicised average grade comparison between schools, physical activity classes (such as physical education and sport) are increasingly being pushed down the curriculum priority list. Of concern, it appears that time spent in physical activity during the school day is diminishing;2-4 at some schools the average moderate to vigorous physical activity during the class has been reported as being less than 10 minutes daily. Removing or reducing physical activity classes from the school day may be detrimental to children’s physical and mental health as research indicates that school day physical activity is associated with total daily physical activity.5-7
The vast majority of research indicates that replacing academic learning sessions with physical activity does not have a detrimental impact on school grades; indeed some intervention research indicates that increased participation in physical activity leads to enhanced learning and better grades.8, 9 Evidence also suggests that achieving a threshold amount of physical activity may be necessary to acquire learning benefits,10 and that participation in vigorous physical activity may further enhance learning.11 Further to this, there is evidence that there has been a reduction over the years in children’s participation in physical activity and organised community sport, and this is particularly evident in Australia.12
Previously, we reported the research evidence related to the relationship between physical activity or sport and learning or academic success.13 This report provides an update of evidence reported from Australian and international research published in peer-reviewed journals; providing summaries of intervention research, correlational studies and research reviews.
Research proves that if your kid is physically active they do better at school.
Physical activity enhances cognitive function improving memory, behaviour, concentration and academic achievement.
On the other hand inactivity negatively impacts brain health and executive control including:
In other words – if you exercise, your brain is fitter and works better. It’s pretty simple!