Benefits of Physical Health Education
“Academic Success” as A Place to Start
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​ Current studies have used letter grades as a measurement of academic achievement, highlighting the correlation between academic achievement and levels of physical activity. I find the terminology used to define academic achievement problematic as it does not recognize the student’s efforts, strengths and stretches in their learning. Although, I do not agree with the definition, and felt restricted by it, I used to begin my research and locate sources. I drew upon current research to find benefits correlated to implementing physical health education into the shape of the day. This next section will use current research to outline benefits of implementing physical health education into the shape of the day.
Levels of Happiness
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“A recent study of older youth and adults from 15 countries in Europe reveals that as self-reported physical activity increases, levels of self-reported happiness also increase” (Participaction, 2016, pg. 6).
Improvement in Subject Areas
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“Results from the one-year study where treatment schools received addition physical activity breaks, while control schools maintained a typical schedule, showed positive effects for children’s mathematics and reading achievement” (Fedewa et al., 2015, abstract).
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“Research has found moderate therapeutic effects of physical activity (e.g. resistance training, motor skills training, or aerobic training) on children’s cognitive functioning (e.g. perceptual reasoning, general intelligence, mathematics and verbal tests” (Fedewa et al., 2015, pg. 137).
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“Students in grades 4 to 6 from 18 schools in rural Nova Scotia who had lower levels of physical activity were more likely to have lower scores in mathematics and English language arts (Participaction, 2016, pg.6).”
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“Brain-based teaching can play a large role in enhancing student learning through the use of movement, in particular, a short running activity on math fluency in addition problems” (Maeda, 2003, abstract).
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“Physical and visual cues in order to comprehend or participate such as English language learners, benefit from active learning where movement is linked with content knowledge and language” (Hruska, 2013, pg13).
Behavioural Improvements
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“Physical activity is associated with improvements in IQ, academic achievement, executive function (e.g., remembering information, focusing, multi-tasking) and attention" (Participaction, 2016, pg. 14).
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“School health programs have a positive effect on academic performance, and improved academic performance has a positive effect on education and health outcomes, as well as on healthrisk behaviors” (Hernandez pg.8).
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One of the teachers who was implementing 10-minute movement breaks into her classroom, noted “positive changes in students’ behavior” (Maeda, 2003, abstract).
Cognitive Improvements
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“Physical activity helps regulate stress responses in which the brain is involved” (Participaction, 2016, pg14).
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“Physical activity increases the size of parts of the brain that are important for learning and memory, and helps activate neural networks that are turned on during cognitive activities” (Participaction, 2016, pg14).
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“Physical activity benefits children’s executive control task performance, memory performance, and attention” (Fedewa et al., 2015, pg.137).
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“Physical movement has long been recognized for its value in the development of cognitive skills in young children and for supporting learning” (Hruska et al., 2013, pg13).
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“Active instruction can wake-up the brain. Quiet stretching can calm and refocus the brain if over-activated. Motor activities can help reduce stress and allow students to use the higher order thinking areas of the brain when stress shunts circulation and function to the lower brain centers (Hruska et al., 2013, pg13).
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“Studies have revealed that physical activity affects the brain structure and functions through several mechanisms. Increasing blood stream and brain oxygenation by developing cell capillaries, physical activity also causes a rise in the level of neurotrophines, an expansion in neurons, an increase in brain tissue and development of new neuron links” (Iri, 2006, pg. 122).
(ParticipACTION)