Vigorous Exercise Boosts Academic Success

A group of researchers found that exercise -- when it is vigorous enough -- can help improve students’ academic performance. While not all kids break a sweat every day, even some activity during the school day can help students focus, one of the authors said.
The study Effect of Physical Education and Activity Levels on Academic Achievement in Children from Michigan State University and Tarleton State University, offers some mixed news when it comes to physical activity and student learning.
While students in the study who engaged in physical activity tended to perform better in school, the benefits were seen when students exercised vigorously -- enough to increase their heart rate and breathing. Students who participated in sports attained that level of exercise; participating in physical education classes did not seem to do the trick, the study noted.
According to the study, 214 sixth-grade students were randomly assigned to physical education during either first or second semesters. Then the students’ academic performance was assessed using grades from four core academic classes and standardized test scores. The study indicated that students’ grades were similar regardless of whether students were enrolled in physical education class during first or second semesters. Physical education classes averaged only 19 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous student activity.

But at the same time, any physical activity during the day can contribute to student engagement, by helping youngsters to feel more alert, according to one of the study’s authors, Dr. Dawn Coe, an assistant professor of exercise science and fitness/wellness at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. We are thrilled to discover this study. It supports the Generation FIT philosophy of regular exercise - the kind that increases heart rate to aerobic levels - throughout the learning day.
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