Physical Activity and Academic

Achievement

Physical Activity and the Brain• Physical movement can affect the brains physiology by increasing • Blood Flow• Cerebral Capillary Growth• Oxygenation• Neurotransmitter Levels• Development of Nerve Connections

• Physiological changes that occur because of brain changes include• Improved Attention• Improved Information Processing, Storage, and Retrieval • Enhanced Coping

(Source 1)

Physical Activity in Schools• Most children get little to no physical activity during school• Budgetary constraints have caused school officials to questions

to value of physical education

• However…• Physical education and other school-based physical activity does

not adversely affect academic performance • Kids who are more physically active tend to perform better

academically• Kids who are physically fit are likely to have stronger academic

performance• Activity breaks can improve cognitive performance and classroom

behavior (Source 3)

Physical Activity During Class• Offering physical activity breaks during class can increase

students• Cognitive Skills and Attitudes• Academic Behavior• Academic Achievement

• Strategy to Implement Physical Activity in the Classroom • Use Physical Activity as a break in between lessons!

• To transition from different subjects, have students do a two minute stretch or walk a few laps around the classroom

(Source 1)

How to Improve Students Participation in Physical Activity• Make it a part of YOUR classroom• Use physical activity games as fun rewards!• Provide time during class for students to move aerobically

• Don’t take away physical activity time when students have misbehaved or not completed homework• Instead, use other consequences such as

• A call home to their parents • Have them sign a “missing homework” book• Have them complete missing work during lunch time

(Source 2)

References• Source 1• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The association between school-

based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2010.

• Source 2• Smith, Nicole J. "Promoting Physical Activity: The Link to Academic

Achievement." FM Schools. N.p., Jan. 2009. Web. Nov. 2012. <http://www.fmschools.org/webpages/twiniecki/files/Promoting%20Physical%20Education,%20the%20Link%20to%20Academic%20Achievement.pdf>.

• Source 3• "Active Living Research." Children Now. N.p., June 2009. Web. Nov. 2012.< http

://www.childrennow.org/uploads/documents/bwlw2011_resource4.pdf.>