By Sue Heron, Paediatric Physiotherapist and Head of Training at Tatty Bumpkin A study, just published in the well regarded American academic journal ‘Pediatrics’, found that a physical ‘after school’ club not only improved children’s fitness but also, crucially, enhanced their brain function and thinking skills http://tinyurl.com/pjbtj9a.
Interestingly, the children (221 in total, aged 7 – 9 years) did a mixture of activities in the after school club. They did some aerobic activities e.g. running, but they also did activities that refined their general motor skills and which required thinking and planning. The activities included:
working with partners
moving to musical rhythms
games that required cooperation
Everyone off on an adventure - in a Tatty Bumpkin session!
These findings back up findings from a recent Spanish study which suggested that activities focusing on coordination and motor skills had a greater effect on children’s academic ability than those which only focused on strength and fitness. Although all were important! http://www.jpeds.com/content/JPEDSEstebanCornejo
In their conclusion the American authors commented that government policies that reduce or replace opportunities for physical activity during the school day e.g.during in break times, in an attempt to increase academic achievement may not have the intended effect.
They highlight that their research, and the research of others:
Provides evidence that physical activity benefits our children’s brain health
Justifies the need for changes in educational policies so that school children have more opportunities for a range of physical activities and exercise during their school day.
