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Exercise Proven to Make Your Kids Smarter

Several researchers have been making the case that aerobic exercise improves not only a student's fitness level, but also their test scores.

The federal No Child Left Behind program encourages schools to focus more of the school day on the core academic subjects while reducing class time in peripheral subjects, like art, music, and physical education. Only 6 percent of American high schools now offer a daily gym class. In his latest book, "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain," Harvard professor John Ratey argues for more physical fitness for students -- as a cure for not only their obesity but also their academic performance.

Exercise stimulates gray matter to produce brain-derived neurotropic factor, or BDNF. BDNF helps new neurons and their connections grow. In addition, levels of other neurotransmitters are increased after a strenuous exercise session.

Research showing a link between fitness and academics is growing. The California Department of Education found that kids who were fit scored twice as well on academic tests. Charles Hillman, a professor of kinesiology at the University of Illinois, was able to duplicate these findings with more than 250 third and fifth-grade students.


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Posted On Dec 31, 2008

It starts in elementary school and continues in high school where kids such as mine were forced to be on block schedules, meaning they had 3 classes a day with about 2 hours of classtime for each class per day. Non-Activity is one of the worst things you can do for a kid. They have all that energy and it needs to be put to use.



My son suffered in elementary school from having too much study and not enough physical interaction. In high school, he only had to take gym for 3 years and then as a senior they didn't have to and he was happy about it. Gym class was always my favorite, I just can't see anyone not liking that!


 
WellnessMom
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
WellnessMom  
Replied

JaneWhite
Novice User Novice User Joined On 5/2008
JaneWhite  
 
Posted On Jan 01, 2009
Oh, I hated gym.  It was all about public humiliation, in my book, and we never seemed to do the sports I was any good at.

But now as an adult I value what I learned about fitness and exercising safely.

 
 
 
Posted On Dec 31, 2008
Well, duh!

Children can't sit and listen 6 hours a day, it doesn't work.  They need to get up and move periodically.  Especially in elementary school, they should be at least moving to another part of the classroom every 30 minutes, and should be getting outside and running at least once a day.  Exercising 2-3 times a day can be as effective as Ritalin for ADHD children.

I have long believed that our school system forces too many students to "tow the line" too young.

 
JaneWhite
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 5/2008
JaneWhite  
 
 
 
Posted On Dec 31, 2008
    While attending school for most of my developmental years in a suburb of Chicago, I was exposed to first class physical education daily and studied practical health standards on a regular schedule. 
    We were shown how to properly execute and perform practically every activity you can imagine from table tennis to cross country. We learned how to use gymnastic equipment, lift weights and use weight lifting machines, the rules of team sports and discussed proper diet and nutrition with properly trained and dedicated teachers and coaches.
    The last time that I heard, Illinois and California were the only states left that have maintained  the value of daily physical activity and exercise for our kids.
    I am now 53, and still use what I have learned with every type of ball you can think of, I swim, and lift weights -- because I know how to do all of it, and because I was taught the value to overall health--
    I certainly agree that this is a must for kids. If they don't get it in school, enroll them in a variety of after-hours activities at school or in community provided activities (so they can find one that they also enjoy), or plan a regular activity as a family -- It all becomes part of a lifetime of physical AND brain fitness.

Is Dr. Mercola amazing or what? -- This is my "most trusted" website. Thanks.

 
The Dreamer
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 12/2008
The Dreamer  
 
 
 
 
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