Learning Improves with Exercise

HealthDay News reports that research by Dr. Catherine Davis, a clinical health psychologist at the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta, indicates that three months of daily, vigorous exercise can improve. In fact, physical activity can also lower their diabetes risk, reduce their body fat, and strengthen their bones, says a team that looked at about 200 overweight, inactive children, ages 7 to 11.

"Aerobic exercise training showed dose-response benefits on executive function (decision-making) and possibly math achievement, in overweight children," the researchers wrote in an abstract presented this week at The Obesity Society's annual scientific meeting in New Orleans. "Regular exercise may be a simple, important method of enhancing children's cognitive and academic development. These results may persuade educators to implement vigorous physical activity curricula during a childhood obesity epidemic," the researchers concluded.

"We hope these findings will help persuade policymakers, schools and communities that time spent being physically active enhances, rather than detracts from learning," Davis said.

These results encourage us to rethink policies that keep kids in chairs all day long!

Comments

[Rae Pica]

It's sad to think policy makers and educators may only value physical activity if it improves the mind -- as though the body weren't important at all. But, whatever it takes, I'm all for getting children out of those chairs!

[Jeff lackney]

Rae, great point! Western philosophy and science has traditionally separate mind from body and even place mind above body when, in fact, we know know that from psychoneuroimmunology and other fields that the mind and body are really one big information system!