It’s no secret that physical activity is an important part of healthy living. The CDC created a list of 10 positive effects physical health has on someone’s life including longer lifespan, better mood, and a greater chance of having long-term health conditions like diabetes or cancer (CDC, 2024). When narrowing into students’ lifestyles, physical activity should be stressed greater than it currently is. According to the CDC, “Less than one-quarter (24%) of children 6 to 17 years of age participate in 60 minutes of physical activity every day,” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). When students are physically active, there are many ways that their academic performance improves, therefore, Oak Hills High School should incorporate physical activity into their classroom learning.
With increased physical activity, students’ general brain health increases drastically, which ultimately betters each aspect of their schooling, including all subjects and overall abilities as a student. The University of Bridgeport, an accredited university in New England Commission of Higher Education, emphasizes how “Exercise of any kind can increase blood flow to the brain, which helps the body build more connections between nerves. Moreover, by strengthening these connections, individuals see increased concentration, enhanced memory, stimulated creativity, and better-developed problem-solving skills” (2024). This supports the idea that physical activity will improve overall brain health within students to increase their academic abilities. In addition, the National Library of Medicine explains that 11 of the 14 studies support that physical activity during the school day demonstrates a positive relationship with academic performance (Kohl & Iii, 2013).
Even though there are various ways that physical health can improve students’ health, some are against incorporating physical activities into schools. Many people believe that being involved in too much physical activity is straining to the body and can cause a greater distraction to academics. However, what people fail to realize is that physical activity comes in small amounts. Teenagers aren’t typically designed to partake in intense physical activity 24 hours a day. Nevertheless, the CDC proves that regular physical activity in children and adolescents prevents various amounts of physical and mental health concerns (2022). The goal of schools enforcing and encouraging students to partake in 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily is to achieve all of the cognitive benefits that directly benefit academic performance.
In conclusion, when students are physically active, there are many ways that their academic performance improves. Therefore, Oak Hills High School should incorporate physical activity into their classroom learning. For example, teachers can create assignments that allow students to move in the classroom. Either this or students can partake in assignments outdoors that involve activity. By doing this, students will have a better lifestyle and mood, but their academic performance will skyrocket.
References
Kohl, H. W., & Iii. (2013, October 30). Physical activity, fitness, and Physical Education: Effects on academic performance. Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK201501/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, July 26). Physical Activity Facts. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm
CDC. (2024, May 10). 10 Reasons to Get Moving Today! Physical Activity. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity/features/10-reasons-to-get-moving.html
Bridgeport, U. of. (2024, January 5). How Do Sports Help Students Academically?| University of Bridgeport. University of Bridgeport News. https://www.bridgeport.edu/news/how-do-sports-help-students-academically/
