It’s fair to say that the modern education system lacks the appreciation of treating children as “real human beings.” Today’s students are becoming extremely academically driven due to the increasing ruthlessness and competitiveness in all job markets.
The sad reality is that in this kind of system, we have come to value a child’s ability to sit and remain silent in class rather than rewarding their ability to think, act creatively, and move dynamically.
Consider the typical daily routine a school-going child has to undergo. Every single school day, children are obliged to sit through a long, torturous lesson—often trapped in an uncomfortable position, resembling a stationary teaching aid more than a growing kid. It is obvious that this rigid system quickly leads a child to a state of profound physical as well as mental exhaustion. Unfortunately, instead of learning new coping mechanisms that are positive, happy, and stress-relieving, children are developing serious clinical depression, severe lethargy, and crippling anxiety disorders. Honestly, this is traumatic to watch for both a parent and an educator.
The overwhelming stress is prompting kids to take extreme actions, such as using professional custom essay writing services, simply because of the long, tiring hours of studying. Let’s be clear: students pursuing these services are not the so-called “bad” kids. In fact, they are often the exact opposite. They are usually high achievers who are, in good faith, just trying to ease the immense pressure caused by the tedious, burnt-out, and over-scheduled lifestyles they are forced to lead. They are trying to simply survive the crushing weight of an overwhelming workload.
But this is exactly where you, as a Workouttrends community member, are already in the know. You know that the mind and the body are not two entirely separate things—and that the body plays a massive, undeniable role in our mental faculties. Many studies have shown, and even complemented, the fact that regular workouts can help students overcome depression.
But can working out also have a direct effect on academic performance, and not just on their mood?
The answer to that is a resounding yes.
The Science of Sweat and Smarts
Research from the cognitive sciences has shown that continuous involvement in physical activities is an absolute must for our students during the school year. Yes, it prevents students from developing obesity and all the physical health problems associated with it. But fitness also functions as a secret weapon, so to speak, helping students to do exceedingly better in their academics.
Numerous researchers have substantiated the urgent need for physical fitness programs in all educational institutions. Research has consistently shown that physical activity has an overwhelmingly positive effect on a student’s cognitive faculties—the actual thinking and processing parts of the brain—and on their overall developmental process.
Consider this: Body fitness and physical activities influence certain specific mental processes in ways that are highly beneficial.
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Increased Oxygen Flow: Exercise sends fresh oxygen rushing to the brain. This is analogous to clearing out the mental cobwebs and sharpening a student’s focus before a big exam. It literally wakes the brain up.
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Better Neurotransmitters: Exercise enhances the brain’s ability to conduct its chemical messages. This naturally elevates mood, improves behavior in the classroom, and plays a huge role in decreasing anxiety. It takes the edge off the daily academic grind.
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The “Miracle-Gro” Effect: Exercise causes the brain to produce neurotrophins. These are special proteins that preserve and differentiate the brain’s nerve cells. Think of them as fertilizer for the brain. These neuropeptides are absolutely vital for neuron survival in the brain’s memory system, making it easier for kids to retain what they learn.
These biological changes are important, foundational mechanisms for extraordinary academic success. A healthy and active body is incredibly important for maintaining a focused and concentrated mind during tough lessons like math and history.
Beyond Performance: Building Better Humans
There are extensive benefits of exercise and physical fitness activities that go way beyond just a GPA or academic performance. There is substantial evidence pointing to a positive relationship between physical fitness activities and massive social and educational improvements.
For example, students who participate in regular physical fitness activities have a significantly lower rate of dropping out of school altogether. When students have a healthy, physical outlet for their stress, they are much better able to integrate socially. They make friends easier, feel a sense of belonging, and exhibit a focused behavioral improvement.
Now, researchers are quick to caution that simply having struggling students run a few laps is not a magic cure-all for the high dropout rate. However, it does provide a critical physical outlet to help build the coping skills and resilience required to deal with intense academic stress.
Unfortunately, far too many schools have completely removed physical education from their schedules. Whether it is due to a lack of knowledge or a misguided attempt to fit more into class time for standardized test preparation, the absence of prioritizing a student’s physical wellbeing will eventually be reflected in their declining academic performance.
How We Can Turn the Tide
What can schools, parents, and the wider community actually do to address this lack of physical activity and increase engagement with fitness programs?
To start, seeing a change of mentality among school administrators is a must. Most administrators are under the mistaken impression that physical education is secondary—or even a distraction—to the instruction of core subjects.
This mentality is a complete failure if your goal is to actually increase student academic performance on standardized tests. Time and again, physical education activities and intramural sports programs have shown a positive correlational effect on academic performance.
Based on this growing body of evidence, we can say with a high degree of certainty that physical education programs have a vital and absolutely necessary place on the school curriculum for the enhancement of academic performance.
This is the daily advice of the experts:
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Daily Goals: For children and teenagers who are still in their crucial growing stages, targeting approximately an hour of physical activity each day is the ultimate goal.
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Elementary School: Schools should implement a weekly minimum of two and a half hours of dedicated physical fitness activities to build good habits early.
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Middle and High School: A weekly minimum of three hours and forty-five minutes should be the standard during the entire school year, giving older kids the consistent stress relief they desperately need.
By implementing quality physical programs and ensuring enough pledged participation, teachers and parents will be able to easily direct students to improve academically as well as physically. Healthy and smart kids can absolutely exist together. When we encourage physical fitness, we prepare our students to learn with a fit body and a sharp, ready mind.
