The more physically active school-aged children are, the better they perform academically, according to a recent Dutch review of past research, USA Today reports.
The findings, published in the January issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, come from 14 studies, mostly from the U.S., but also a few from Canada and South Africa, which included as many as 12,000 children between the ages of 6 and 18.
"We found strong evidence of a significant positive relationship between physical activity and academic performance," the researchers said in a news release for the journal.
They noted in the study that exercise causes an increase in blood and oxygen flow to the brain, and this may be responsible for the improved academic performance. This dynamic may prompt an increase in the levels of hormones that boost moods and curb stress, and establish new nerve cells and synapse flexibility, the news source reports.
Students who spend time engaging in
outdoor play - whether climbing
playground equipment, going for a hike or picking up a game of basketball - may reap the benefits of this finding.