Physical activity is important to include in our daily routines. Being physically active can increase overall health and can offset serious diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. It can also help with weight control and improve overall mental health. Recent studies have shown that physical activity may also be linked to better academic performance in students. According to John J. Ratey, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, physical activity creates the best environment for increased cognitive functions in the brain. Increased cognitive functions contributes to better academic performance. Ultimately, hitting the gym, swimming and even attending a few fitness classes may improve your academic performance. Here are five different ways you can boost your cognitive functions to help you in class.
5 Activities That May Help Boost Your Academic Performance
- Hit the gym
Taking advantage of the fitness centre is probably one of the easiest ways to improve your academic performance. It has all the exercise equipment you need and all students have access. Ultimately, physical activity releases a protein called brain derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF for short. Ratey states that BDNF is basically miracle grow for your brain. This protein stimulates the growth of new cells which improves memory. A better memory will aid with studying for tests and exams as well as improve academic performance. So hit the gym before studying. You’ll thank yourself later.
2. Join a fitness class
Having trouble in math? No worries taking a fitness class is sure to cure that problem. A school board in the United States conducted a study of adolescents who were having trouble in math. They had the kids take a PE class before attempting an introductory algebra quiz. According to the study the children who participated in the PE class before taking the test improved their test scores by 20.4%. While the kids who didn’t take the PE class beforehand only increased their test scores by a mere 3.9%. In conclusion, participating in fitness classes can help improve your test scores. Luckily for us, Athletics offers over 95 different fitness classes to choose from. Pick one you like and it might just improve your academic performance
3. Aerobics
Many fitness studies conducted in the US have concluded that aerobics workouts are best at increasing cognitive brain functions. There is without a doubt a correlation between aerobics work outs and students performing better in the class room. Aerobics workouts before class have proven to help increase attention spans as well as response speeds and cognitive processing speeds. Aerobic exercises also help regulate the adrenaline-noradrenaline response. This process helps people better cope with stress. Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by class workloads or just need help focusing, take an aerobics class.
4. Swim
Swimming is an intense sport as it utilizes almost every muscle in the human body. Activities like swimming can help to increase the production of the human growth hormone also known as HGH. The HGH hormone has various benefits for the human body which include increasing brain volume. Ultimately, this helps to improve cognitive functions. Intense physical activity like swimming also increases the creation of new brain cells and helps current brain cells live longer. So, if you find yourself needing extra brain power before a test try swimming.
5. Run
Physical activity not only increases the production of BDNF but it is also known to produce feel-good endorphins. Exercises like running reduce stress which signal the release of feel-good hormones. Reducing stress will not only help you at school but it will also help you at work and at home. The best way to relive stress is to exercise for at least 30 minutes. Essentially, activities that elevate your heart rate and make you break out into a sweat are most beneficial. They leave you feeling energized and optimistic. Feeling energized and optimistic will help your productivity at school and possibly boost your academic performance.
