A new study finds exercise stimulates a child's mind as well as her body. The report in the journal "Pediatrics" finds physically fit children are more than twice as likely to pass standardized math and reading tests compared to those who are not.
Researchers did a cross-sectional study of data on more than 11,000 students from 4th to 8th grade in 47 public schools in Nebraska. In the study, researchers found aerobically fit students were almost 2 1/2 times more likely to pass math tests and more than twice as likely to pass reading tests. Also, the study found the association between aerobic fitness and improved academic performance was true regardless of socioeconomic status and the children's weight also had no effect on their performance on the test.
Only exercise made a difference.
The study comes at a time when some schools are cutting Phys Ed and physical activity. Research suggests as much of an emphasis should be placed on those as academics.
