Exercise

Researchers in the United States have studied whether or not a positive relationship exists between physical activity and academic performance. Youth receiving additional physical activity tend to show improved attributes such as increased brain function and nourishment, higher energy/concentration levels, changes in body build affecting self esteem, increased self-esteem and better behavior which may all support cognitive learning (Cocke, 2002) (Tremblay, Inman, Willms, 2000) (Dwyer, Coonan, Leitch, Hetzel, & Baghurst, 1983) (Shepard, 1997)

The results of a study undertaken by the California Department of Education (CDE) (2002) included a "statistical ananlysis indicating a distinct and linear correlation between students' academic achievement and fitness scores" in all grades in the study. Higher academic performance was positively related to higher levels of fitness wiht the greatest academic gains in students who met three or more physical fitness standards.

The results lend credence to the suggestion that when a substantial amount of school time is dedicated to physical activity, academic performance meets and may even exceed that of students not receiving additional physical activity.