It would surprise some people if they were told that being physically fit could help them academically. It almost seems like these two things have nothing to do with each other. However if you look deeper, they do have a lot in common. Numerous studies have been done that connect being physically fit with a number of positive things and improved academic performance is part of that list. Some other positive things that enhance academic performance due to exercise are: enhanced brain function, higher energy levels, better self-esteem, and good behavior. All studies conducted on this subject have shown some form of positive results.
One study was done on first grade students by the California board of education. The study compared the students motor skills, and being able to keep a steady beat and rhythm when exercising to improved academic scores in the fields of reading and math, as well as good academic scores in all subjects overall. In short, if you keep an exercise rhythm that your able to follow, it will improve your motor skills and timing, which will than cause you to improve academically most of the time.
A doctor concerned with the amount of exercise kids were getting weekly did another study. She improved the amount of hours per week certain kids exercised and found increases in brain function, concentration, blood flow, and better behavior. All these factors support better learning. For example, increase brain function and better blood flow will allow messages to get to the brain faster allowing you to think quicker. If you concentrate more you're allowed to be more focused and not easily distracted, which allows you to get things done quicker and more efficiently. Finally, if exercise makes you behave better and care about yourself more, you'll probably be more motivated and care more about your education. You'll probably also be less likely to blow things off.
Yet another study was done on a group of 954,000 students in grades 5, 7, and 9, which related their scores on standardized tests to the scores on the mandated physical fitness test. The Physical fitness test had six standards including: cardiovascular endurance, body composition, abdominal strength and endurance, trunk strength and flexibility, upper body strength and endurance and overall flexibility.
The results found that there was a direct relation between the fitness test scores and the academic test scores. Those students who scored well in the areas of the physical fitness test also scored well in the academic areas. Once again the differences were most prominent in the areas of math and reading. I also find it interesting that in most of the tests the females scored higher than the males overall. It seems that in today's society the sports world is catered to males more than females so it kind of surprised me that the females did better with the fitness test. However this is just how the statistics read and the Journal that the study was in has yet to be published.
These positive results have not only been seen in the United States but in Australia as well. A study was done with Australian kids age 7-15 and was similar to the studies done in the United States. It had a sports questionnaire to get information on how Physically active the kids were.
There was a 5-point scale fitness test and the results found that the academic results in Australia were also directly related to the fitness results. Those who scored higher academically also did better with the fitness test. I think that this definitively shows that academics and athletics and exercise are positive. Through my research I haven't found much if anything at all that says exercise can be negative to academics, unless of course you happen to over exercise which is not good for your brain or body.
In conclusion, physically fit kids do perform better academically. There are positive factors between the two subjects in all the arguments I've researched. Some of the factors include: better brain function, blood flow, self-esteem and behavior. Exercising even a little bit a day can improve your health so it's definitely beneficial to try to incorporate it into your daily routine.
Even something as simple as keeping a beat can improve your motor skills, which keeps you thinking faster and also keeps your brain healthy. I never knew that exercise could be so beneficial as far as schoolwork and I thought it was just important to keep your body functioning well. I've heard that some schools are actually considering cutting the amount of time per week that the students spend in the gym. Maybe they should read some of these studies before they even consider going any further
