EXERCISE
Why is Exercise Important?
Studies have shown that exercise can benefit an adolescent’s cognition, emotion, and behavior both short and long term. In order to appropriately measure the impact, exercise has on an adolescent studies factored in the nature of the exercise, the developmental age of the adolescent, the duration, and the frequency of the exercise. From these studies, they determined that the short-term effects include better skill attainment, improvements in concentration, and greater learning abilities. The long-term effects included improvements in academic performance and high-order thinking. Ultimately, exercise can be a beneficial tool that enhances learning and cognition for students.
"There are many neurochemical changes that follow intense exercise and may cause the brain to be primed for better skill attainment and greater learning..." ("How People Learn II: Learners, Context, and Cultures", pg. 32).
Background
During middle school and high school, most students spend the majority of their school day sedentary in a classroom listening to teachers lecture. The lack of physical movement throughout the day can affect a student’s cognition, behavior, and emotions which can then affect their academic performance. During middle school and high school, students are only allotted one class period, if any, where they are able to do physical exercise. The only other form of physical exercise students may receive happens when students are walking from classroom to classroom between class periods for about 5 minutes. It is important for teachers to note the benefits of exercise and what it can do for the adolescent’s brain as well as their overall academic performance. Additionally, it is important for teachers to understand that physical exercise is necessary for student learning and should be incorporated into the classroom management procedures to avoid a lull in the day.
What Can Teachers Do?
As educators, one needs to understand the importance and the benefits of physical exercise for students at various developmental stages so that they can be incorporated into the classroom curriculum appropriately. They also need to understand the benefits physical exercise can have on them as educators. Various studies show that physical exercise positively affects cognition, emotion, and behavior thus enhancing learning capabilities in the classroom. It is important for non-physical education teachers to understand that the incorporation of physical exercise can have immediate effects on student learning so that they are not losing focus or acting out in class. Teachers can incorporate short 5 minute breaks into their lessons that allow students to physically move around the classroom. This simple act can help students and teachers regain focus and enhance the lessons.