Physical Activity Linked to Academic Achievement
It is well known that physical activity can help us live longer, happier lives. For example, physical activity decreases the chances of obtaining heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and having a stroke (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2014). However, a new study in Finland has shown that physical activity is also associated with early achievement in school (Medical News Today [MNT], 2014). The study included children in Finland during their first three years of school. Children who played more at recess had higher reading skills, and those who played sports had higher arithmetic scores (MNT, 2014). Even though some girls had positive results, the boys were the ones who had higher reading and arithmetic skills with higher levels of physical activity (MNT, 2014). In fact, some girls had lower academic skills with higher levels of physical activity (MNT, 2014). Researchers point out that these gender differences show the importance in the type of physical activity and how it can potentially impact academic achievement (MNT, 2014).
References
Medical
News Today. (2014). High levels of
physical activity linked to early academic achievement. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282408.php
United
States Department of Agriculture. (2014). Why
is physical activity important? Retrieved from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/physical-activity/why.html
