Join us as we explore whether physical activity can boost students' academic success. This blog dives into research and expert insights, examining how the brain works after exercise—through sports, active breaks, or classroom activities—might not only improve physical health but also sharpen young minds.
Let's discover if integrating movement could transform school performance.
The important stuff for you!
There is growing evidence to support a strong link between physical movement and school performance, making it a topic of great interest for educators seeking to enhance students' learning outcomes. Research has consistently shown that regular physical activity can have a significant impact on cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and processing speed, which are essential for academic success. For example, a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that children who engaged in at least 20 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day exhibited better executive functioning, which includes skills like problem-solving, planning, and multitasking—key components of academic performance. Additionally, aerobic exercises, such as running or playing team sports, have been linked to improved concentration and behavior in the classroom, further underscoring the connection between movement and learning.
Teachers play a crucial role in integrating physical activity into the school day, and doing so doesn't require sacrificing valuable instructional time. In fact, incorporating short movement breaks, known as "brain breaks," or scheduling physical education and active playtime throughout the day can enhance students' ability to absorb and retain information. Research from the American Journal of Public Health suggests that students who participate in daily physical education perform better in subjects like math and reading, compared to those with limited activity during the school day. For educators, understanding the science behind these findings can help in designing curricula that not only meet academic goals but also foster a more dynamic and effective learning environment.
Dopamine - "The geeky stuff"
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter—a chemical messenger in the brain—that plays a key role in reward, motivation, and motor control. It is synthesised from the amino acid tyrosine, and its release is modulated by neuronal activity. Dopamine is released in response to rewarding stimuli or activities, such as physical exercise, through pathways like the mesolimbic pathway, which connects the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens.
In children, physical activity stimulates dopamine release, which enhances mood, increases motivation, and improves cognitive functions. When children engage in sports, dopamine helps strengthen neural pathways involved in attention, memory, and executive functioning, which are critical for academic performance. Exercise-induced dopamine also promotes neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections—by upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein crucial for learning and memory.
Dopamine's role in motor control further benefits school performance, as coordinated movements during sports enhance cerebellar functions that support fine motor skills, concentration, and cognitive flexibility. The combined effects of dopamine on mood, attention, and neuroplasticity establish a physiological basis for how regular physical movement can translate into improved academic outcomes for children.
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