Struggling to stay motivated? Regain control with strategies to strengthen your academic focus and make every study session count.
You’re probably wondering whether there is a correlation between physical activity and improved academic performance, or focus, or whatever you want to call it. But before we answer this, and assuming that you’re a concerned parent, are you a parent worried about your kid’s academic performance in school? Are you concerned that your kid(s) can get their grades up even though you’ve hired a private tutor? If yes, then this post will help.
Now, getting back to our question.
Physical activity enhances brain function
To answer the question we put forward in the beginning, yes, there is a correlation between physical activity and better academic focus. In other words, there is a connection between physical activity and brain function.
Physical exercise is beneficial for the body and the brain. Various studies show that regular exercise, even less strenuous activity like walking, can significantly boost cognitive abilities. This is because when we get our bodies moving, our brains receive more oxygen, which improves focus, strengthens memory, and enhances learning capabilities.
Here’s something fascinating.
The University of British Columbia conducted a study in 2017 and discovered that aerobic exercise, such as running, cycling, or sports like football, can actually grow the hippocampus—the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. In other words, when you let your kids play outside, you aren’t just letting them have fun and build physical strength—you’re also increasing the size of their brains. This might help explain why students engaged in sports or are physically active tend to do better on exams and remember what they’ve learned more effectively.
Physical activity enhances mood
As we explained, physical activity enhances concentration levels, which is essential for better performance in the classroom. In this hyper-competitive academic environment, where students are constantly pressured to get higher grades, it’s not uncommon for students to feel stressed, burned out, distracted, and demotivated. In extreme cases, there are reports of students being hospitalised.
Exercise is often prescribed as a remedy for this crisis. Exercises such as swimming, running, or even walking relieve stress and allow students to relax their minds. Exercise triggers the release of “feel-good” hormones like dopamine and serotonin, which improve mood and enable students to concentrate on their studies.
Physical activity enhances cognitive function
Regular movement also enhances cognitive development in students. Research shows that staying active can actually promote brain growth, improve neuroplasticity (your brain’s ability to adapt and learn), improve memory retention, and sharpen essential skills like problem-solving, planning, and decision-making. These are critical for students who are required to solve math problems and work on their assignments.
Students who exercise, like swimming or playing sports like football or badminton, are more likely to remember what they learned in the classroom and solve problems quicker than students with a sedentary lifestyle.
Physical activity enhances physical health
This does not need to be introduced, as we all know physical activity—even something simple like 20-30 minutes of brisk walking—can do wonders for your physical well-being. Most parents tend to ignore or, let’s say, forget that students who are physically fit and healthy perform better academically. Regular physical activity boosts energy levels, strengthens the body, and lowers the chances of developing chronic illnesses. Physically active students are less likely to miss school due to illness and stay more focused in their studies.
Physical activity enhances social skills
All this time, we discussed how physical activity improves students’ physical health, improves their mood and focus, and enhances their cognitive capabilities. But exercise or sports offers more than just physical benefits. In today’s classrooms, academicians are increasingly emphasising collaborative learning, where students are encouraged to solve problems and finish assignments in groups.
Team sports like football, group exercises, and collaborative fitness activities are a fantastic way for students to build essential social skills such as communication, teamwork, and cooperation. These valuable life skills are a must for students if they want to find meaningful jobs and nurture relationships.
Staying active is not just about building stronger bodies. It’s about building sharper minds, improving focus and memory, and fostering social skills. Regular movement is key to helping students thrive both in and out of the classroom.
If your child is finding math challenging, learning a new language, prepping for exams, or just wants their lessons to be more engaging, you can take advantage of advantage of private tutor programs from reknowned tuition providers like SmileTutor. The personalized programme has all the support and guidance students need to excel in their studies.
