Fitness may boost children's mental ability

A study has found a strong relationship between academic achievement and fitness levels in children. Those who did well in physical fitness also scored well on mental tests.

Scientists have recently begun to demonstrate that exercise may improve cognitive functioning in older adults. But the effects of exercise on children have not been so well documented. Are physically fit children better suited to compete not only on the playing field, but in the classroom as well?

A team of researchers from the University of Illinois has been exploring these questions in a series of studies over the past two years, and preliminary results indicate a correlation.

In one study, the research team measured the fitness levels of 500 children, including aerobic capacity, flexibility and muscle fitness. Cognitive function was then determined by analysing scores on standardised academic performance tests and by observing and measuring neuroelectric and behavioural responses to certain stimuli.

The researchers examined the relationship between physical fitness and attention and working memory among groups of fit and sedentary children, and among a control group of fit and sedentary adults.

When the researchers measured brain activation, they found that fit children "allocated more resources towards identifying stimuli, and also processed stimuli faster".

The fit children also made fewer errors than sedentary ones. In terms of response speed, the fit children were still slower than fit and sedentary adults, but were faster than sedentary children.

The researchers are hoping that if scientists can demonstrate that increased levels of physical activity and exercise have a positive effect not only on children's physical health, but also on their ability to succeed academically, educators and policymakers might take note.