Scientists Lina Bunketorp Source, Michael Nilsson and Thomas Lindén at the Centre for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, in a scientific study tested the hypothesis that an increased amount of movement on the schedule stimulates learning and enhances school results.
In the study, published in the scientific journal, the Journal of School Health, were 408 fifth-graders in the Gothenburg region in collaboration with a local sports club two extra lessons with play and movement activities in a week, which roughly doubled the amount of bound schedule physical activity.
In order to evaluate the effect was compared how fifth grade are passed the national learning targets four years before the change, and five years after. The results were compared against control groups in the three schools that did not get extra exercise.
The results are according to the researchers concur. A greater percentage of students in the intervention school achieved the educational goals of all investigated subjects – Swedish, English and mathematics – as compared with the control group.
– You could say that the two extra lessons a week doubled the odds of the individual student achieved the national learning outcomes. In the comparison schools where students did not receive extra physical activity was not noted similar improvement – rather, we saw where a deterioration, says researcher and neurologist Thomas Lindén at the Sahlgrenska Academy.
The participating schools were carefully selected and according to the researchers fully comparable regarding distribution between boys and girls, the proportion of pupils with a foreign background, and parents’ income, unemployment and education.
– In a study like this it is difficult to completely control all factors that can affect school performance. But the results are so consistent that we believe we have scientific support for our conclusion: extra physical activity seems to be able to help children do better in school.
– The results of this study agree well with data from other studies in both animals and humans that show a clear link between physical activity and improved cognitive abilities. We have previously in a number of studies have shown a strong positive correlation between fitness level and IQ in young adults, as well as reduced risk of diseases of the nervous system later in life. By now show a link between physical activity and better school performance in a group of fifth-graders, we add further knowledge to this interesting line of research, says Professor Michael Nilsson.
– In recent years, we have received a much better understanding of how learning mechanisms work. Now it feels great to be able to present arguments for it with quite simple means can go to improve young students’ school performance.
– We hope that the results will be taken into account by decision-makers who plan for school organization and content, said the study’s project manager and researcher Lina Bunketorp Source.
– In-depth study, we investigate bla sex differences, mental health and the mechanisms underlying the demonstrated effects explains Lina on.
FACT
School study was funded by Sten A. Olsson Foundation for Research and Culture, Brain, Centre for Sports Research and The Kempe Carlgren Fund.
article The Impact of a Physical Activity Intervention Program on Academic Achievement in a Swedish Elementary School Setting , published in the Journal of School Health in August.
Link to article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/josh.12179/abstract
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