Posted Jan 11, 2012
Children who get more exercise tend to do better in school, whether it comes as recess, physical education classes or even walking to and from school, according to findings published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
The study comes at a time when many U.S. schools have been cutting physical activity time in favor of more academic test preparation. Daviess County and Owensboro public school districts, however, agree with the study’s findings and have raised the amount of exercise opportunities, not only to combat the growing trend of obesity and inactivity in youngsters, but also because officials believe it enhances the educational experience.
“Physical activity is all part of the puzzle of learning,” said Amy Bouchard, the physical education instructor at Meadow Lands Elementary School. “Physical education is just as important as reading and writing and arithmetic.
“Physical activity increases the blood flow, so not only is that increasing the oxygen level to the brain, but it also improves cardio-respiratoy endurance. When the oxygen level to the brain increases, it facilitates learning. The children become more alert. They’re able to retain more.
“Physical activity also helps with behavior. It allows them to become more focused and engaged in the learning process. They’re not just sitting there zoning out.”
Many of the schools in the city and county have walking trails and use them during recess, and before- and after-school programs.
“We have 10 minutes of physical activity every day, even if the students have PE that day,” Bouchard said. “It’s a valuable part of the learning process.”
The international study’s author said there needs to be a balance in physical activity and academics, but that exercise benefits the student in the classroom. The study included an “observational” report in which researchers asked parents, teachers and students how active the youngsters were and then tracked their academic performance.
In another study component, one group of students was given extra time for physical education classes and other health and fitness exercises, and their academic scores were compared against a group that didn’t get extra exercise. The researchers found that those with higher rates of physical activity did better in the classroom.
The study included any kind of physical activity, from stretching and movement during a classroom break to a standard physical education class.
“As a PE teacher, I see the overall health benefit of exercise, but classroom teachers also tell me how much more focused the kids are in class,” said Jammia Joska, an instructor at Sutton Elementary School. “Their attention span is better, and it improves their classroom behavior when they get physical activity.”
Sutton Principal Dana Johnson made a push to increase PE from two 30-minute classes a week to three. The third PE class includes time on the walking track. Sutton and Cravens elementary schools recently installed walking tracks, and students are encouraged to come before school to walk, as well as participate in walking clubs, among other activities.
Bouchard agreed that behavior improves after exercise.
“It puts the students in a good mood,” she said. “And it’s helps socially because they get to be with their friends. They’re moving, they’re having fun, so they’re enjoying that part of the education process.”
In 2010, Meadow Lands and Southern Oaks elementary schools were among 20 Kentucky schools with the highest percentage of participation in the “Get Active Get Fit!” School Challenge, which included at least 15 minutes of physical activity a day for at least 40 of the 55 challenge days.
Rich Suwanski, 691-7315, or rsuwanski@messenger-inquirer.com
©2012 the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.)