Physical activity's impact on academic achievement in school-aged children

Abstract

Physical activity is an integral part of wellness, but does it have an impact on academic outcomes? The purpose of this review of literature was to examine the relationship between physical activity and academic outcomes in school aged children. School has become a propagator of sedentary life-style de-emphasizing the importance of physical activity. The current recommendations from physical activity are one hour per day. A literature review was conducted in order to gain understanding of the relationship between physical activity and academic outcomes. Search terms used included: physical activity and academic performance, physical activity and its impact on academic achievement, and physical activity and its impact on academic outcomes for school aged children.
Physical activity was positively impactful on the academic outcomes of the school aged children who took part in it.There has yet to be a study to identify the mechanism of this phenomenon or determine if this is nothing more than a casual relationship between physical activity and academic outcomes. However, there is strong evidence that aerobic fitness improved the function and structure of the brain as well as improving academic performance and cognitive control.
Physical activity is an integral part of wellness, but does it have an impact on academic outcomes? The purpose of this review of literature was to examine the relationship between physical activity and academic outcomes in school aged children. School has become a propagator of sedentary life-style de-emphasizing the importance of physical activity. The current recommendations from physical activity are one hour per day. A literature review was conducted in order to gain understanding of the relationship between physical activity and academic outcomes. Search terms used included: physical activity and academic performance, physical activity and its impact on academic achievement, and physical activity and its impact on academic outcomes for school aged children. Physical activity was positively impactful on the academic outcomes of the school aged children who took part in it.There has yet to be a study to identify the mechanism of this phenomenon or determine if this is nothing more than a casual relationship between physical activity and academic outcomes. However, there is strong evidence that aerobic fitness improved the function and structure of the brain as well as improving academic performance and cognitive control.