Written by For kids, we often view sports as a way for them to stay healthy, have fun, and get some fresh air. The benefits, though, go deeper, as a study from the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity reveals. After examining decades of educational data, researchers Francois Trudeau and Roy Shephard concluded that physical activity in schools, including extracurricular sports, exert “positive influences on concentration, memory and classroom behavior,” pointing to an increase in intellectual performance and school achievement. In addition, students tend to suffer academically as time for physical activity decreases.
By increasing blood flow to the brain, regular physical activity at a young age helps to develop connections between nerves, leading to the benefits detailed by Trudeau and Shephard. At such a formative period in a child’s growth, encouraging neural development is critical. The effects are clear in the classroom.
A University of Kansas study concluded that 97% of high school athletes graduated on time, with a higher grade point average to boot. That is ten percent higher than students who do not participate in sports. The authors of this study, like Trudeau and Shephard, attribute the increased academic performance to the physiological effects of physical activity, namely the endorphins that are released during exercise. Endorphins have been shown to improve mood and work ethic, resulting in students more willing to challenge themselves and aim high academically. The researchers agree: data “strongly suggested that participation in high school sports may positively affect” students’ ability to persist in the classroom.
While students can certainly be physically active on their own, curricular and extracurricular sports offer a regular regimen for students to follow. Consistency is key to developing and reaping the benefits of healthy habits, and scheduled team practices and games can be an excellent way to encourage it.
Though we tend to focus on aspects of organizational culture that need improvement, the positive association between participating in sports and academic achievement has a different need. As school systems continue to cut budgets and focus on standardized test performance, they compromise on curricular time and funds dedicated to physical fitness. Students and families, too, would rather spend time preparing for admission into top colleges than participate in a sport. Studies have demonstrated the importance of these programs. It is self-defeating for schools and families to cut back on physical activity to study instead. The two are mutually inclusive.
Coaches and leaders must continue to do their part and encourage physical activity and participation in team sports as a component of — not simply an addition to — a well-rounded student experience. The benefits are too great to be overlooked.