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Want to boost kids’ grades? Get them moving!
Casey and I often talk to schools about the health benefits of being active. But beyond physical fitness, Casey and I also believe activity helps more than just your body. There is now growing scientific evidence to back up the belief that activity can help your mind as well.
An American College of Sports Medicine study published late last year found that middle-school students who performed best on fitness tests also performed better academically.
Results from the study showed that the fittest group of students scored almost 30% higher on standardized tests than the least fit group. And the least fit students had grades in four core classes that were 13% to 20% lower than all other kids. The study included 317 students in grades six through eight. The fitness tests gauged aerobic capacity, strength, endurance, flexibility and body composition.
Another recent study of 9-year-olds, published in April in ScienceDaily by a University of Illinois researcher, suggests that physical activity increases students’ ability to pay attention, which results in better academic achievement.
From our own experience talking to groups, Casey and I have seen that a short exercise break during a discussion can help keep people interested.
How it works
Why exactly exercise boosts academic performance is not known, but some experts speculate it:
| • | burns off pent-up energy and allows kids to pay attention better and focus on their work; |
| • | boosts self-esteem and mood; |
| • | increases blood flow to the brain, helping with memory and concentration. |
Previous studies have found that learning and the memory function are notably better in older people who are active, but these newer studies are showing the same relationship in younger, not fully developed children.
Keep active during the day
While school requirements and tight budgets have put pressure on physical education classes and often reduced recess times, these studies help show the importance of making physical activity part of the school day—whether it’s during recess, lunch breaks, or integrating physical activity into the learning process.
Casey and I know that not everyone can become an Olympic athlete, but nearly everyone can be active. It’s that activity that can help produce healthy bodies and healthy minds. And that’s a big reason why Casey and I believe so strongly in Movin’ and Munchin’ Schools.
Sources: MSNBC.com, American College of Sports Medicine, ScienceDaily.
