Fit children are running, climbing and jumping to smarter conclusions
PHYSICALLY fit children achieve better results in class than unfit students as exercise becomes a major indicator of academic performance.
The most active children are out-performing those who do not take part in regular physical exercise or organised sport, a study has found.
Researchers also found that the more physical exercise or structured sport that students do, the better they perform with their classwork.
Sedentary children are at risk of their academic results falling away, the researchers have told the federal government in a landmark report.
The government will spend $120 million this year promoting grassroots participation in sport to fight obesity and improve children's health and performance. About a third of the budget has been allocated to children in after-school care providing them with free sport and physical activities up to three times per week.
Research by a specialist team at the University of Wollongong, which has presented its findings to the federal Department of Health and Ageing, shows "30 to 40 minutes of physical activity per day has demonstrated benefits for kids' cognitive and academic development".
The report titled A Systematic Review to Inform Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Young People has not yet been released to the public, but it shows a clear link between physical exercise and academic achievement.
"There is a dose-response relationship between physical activity and cognitive development/academic achievement - the more the better," Wollongong University's Dr Stewart Vella said.
"The benefits (of exercise) are substantial ... and the more physical activity (students) do the greater increase in grades.
Dr Vella added: "There are also risks for cognitive development and academic achievement associated with sedentary behaviours."
International researchers have suggested that exercise increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain and may lead to increased levels of norepinephrine and endorphins, which are important in stress reduction.