Exercise is good for your mind and body. You know that very well – if you want to feel good, you need to exercise. But what about long-term effects for children?
Scientists from the Universities of Edinburgh, Stirling, and Highlands and Islands found that pupils who run or walk 15 minutes per day are mentally and physically sharper than those who do not.
Just a short 15 minutes break for a quick exercising session could benefit school children's fitness, memory and wellbeing. Image credit: Krolliami via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
It is easy to make children exercise – throw a ball out and watch them go. However, nowadays many children spend hours and hours in front of screens, which is not ideal for their fitness. Up until now scientists haven’t taken a look at the long-term effects on psychological health of school-based running programmes, but now they believe that taking a 15-minute break from class to do physical activity is a great idea.
Researchers observed 6000 pupils aged nine to 11 who undertook a series of cognitive function tests. Scientists wanted to see what effects programmes like the Daily Mile may have on children’s fitness. The Daily Mile programme invites schoolchildren to take 15 minute breaks to do some physical activity.
Teachers were also involved in this study, guiding children through tests that measure fitness, attention and memory. Pupils also had to report on their own wellbeing. Scientists summed up the results using methods of statistical modelling to define the impact of a long-term running programme on a pupil’s cognition, wellbeing and fitness.
Study showed that memory and thinking skills were improved even after a short period of two months. Schoolchildren were sharper, felt better and could perform better. However, a programme of more than three months has a significant association with higher fitness levels, no benefits for cognition or wellbeing. This suggests that the initial benefits reach a plateau after some time. Scientists still suggest children should have regular physical exercise sessions to improve their condition, mental sharpness and overall well being.
Dr Josie Booth, one of the authors of the study, said: “The health benefits of physical activity coupled with the immediate benefit, which supports learning, makes such physical activity breaks worthwhile and should be considered by class teachers and school management, as well as education policy makers.”
Children nowadays spend a lot of time with computers, TVs and smart mobile devices. Child obesity is a growing problem as well as issues focusing attention. Children need physical exercise just like everyone else. Exercising sessions should be included in school programmes, but parents should also lead by example.
Source: University of Edinburgh