A new study from Michigan State University found that middle school students who perform well on physical fitness tests also do better academically.
Dr. James Pivarnik and his colleagues found that, of 317 students in grades six through eight, the fittest scored 30 percent higher than average on standardized tests, whereas the least fit had grades that were between 13 and 20 percent lower in four core classes.

Dr. Pivarnik and other experts believe that exercise helps children to burn off pent-up energy, which leads to better focus as it increases blood flow to the brain.
Experts like Dr. Pivarnik do not rate all exercise for children as equally effective. For example, during some unstructured play periods and with some organized sports, children spend more time waiting for their turns than actually participating.

A study from Kansas State University monitored 29 children as they played tag. Many children just stood around once they were "tagged out" and did not really get much exercise, according to author Dr. David Dzewaltowski.

Dr. Dzewaltowski advised parents to look for coaches who keep all players active during practice sessions by using multiple training stations, and to choose sports such as soccer that require more overall activity for every player, not just the team's stars.

Labels: fitness, grades, physical_activity