Physical activity is not only essential for healthy growth and development, it’s also important to learning. Increasing physical activity and physical fitness may improve academic performance and that time in the school day dedicated to recess, physical education class, and physical activity in the classroom may also facilitate academic performance.
Although academic performance stems from a complex interaction between intellect and contextual variables, health is a vital moderating factor in a child’s ability to learn. The idea that healthy children learn better is empirically supported and well accepted, and multiple studies have confirmed that health benefits are associated with physical activity, including cardiovascular and muscular fitness, bone health, psychosocial outcomes, and cognitive and brain health. The relationship of physical activity and physical fitness to cognitive and brain health and to academic performance is a proven fact.
Research shows that physical activity – whether it’s team sports, bike riding, swimming at the beach or playground games – has positive effects on the brain and on school performance.
The positive effects of Games or physical activity on the brain:
Physical activity has a direct impact on the behavior and development of the brain.
The flow of oxygen to the brain is increased
The number of brain neurotransmitters is increased, which assists your ability to focus, concentrate, learn, remember and handle stress
The number of brain-derived neurotrophies is increased, which assures the survival of neurons in areas of the brain that are responsible for learning, memory and higher thinking
Physical activity linked to higher learning grades:
Physical activity has an impact on cognitive skills such as concentration and attention, and it also enhances classroom attitudes and behaviors, all of which are important components of improved academic performance and better language skills. The more physically fit children were not only better at reading, but they were also better at reading passages.
Physical activity has a relationship to parts of the brain that support complex cognitive processes during laboratory tasks. It also showed that physical activity is important for growth, development and general health. Physical activity was also found to boost brain power and academic performance, among other benefits.
Building their cognitive functioning:
Executive function and brain health underlie academic performance. Basic cognitive functions related to attention and memory facilitates learning, and these functions are enhanced by physical activity and higher aerobic fitness.
- Just one session of moderate physical activity instantly boosts kids’ brain function, cognition and academic performance.
- Mastering fundamental movement skills boosts brain power and academic performance.
- Time away from lessons in favour of physical activity doesn’t come at the cost of good grades.
Nurturing their engagement, motivation and psychological well-being:
- Physical activity boosts children’s self-esteem.
- It nurtures relationships with peers, parents and teachers.
- A caring environment that supports autonomy enhances kids’ motivation, their behaviour relating to physical activity and their general well-being.
- Regular and organized physical activity training promotes life skills (interpersonal, self-regulation) and core values like respect and social responsibility.
Supporting a culture of inclusiveness:
Culture- and context-sensitive activities promote social inclusion.