The benefits of physical education for schoolchildren are not only in maintaining overall health and protecting them from excess weight, but in the fact that physical activity directly affects academic success. This was proved by neurologists at the University of Illinois (USA).
Experts note that exercise improves the developing cognitive functions of the brain, positively affecting overall mental performance. Significant increases in alertness and ability to concentrate in 9-year-olds were seen immediately after 20 minutes of jogging. When tested, brain activity was measured using electroencephalography. After physical education, the children coped with the tasks faster and more accurately, especially when the task had a high level of difficulty.
Scientists also noted that after physical exertion, the efficiency of the brain in schoolchildren significantly increased, and they successfully completed test tasks in mathematics, reading and spelling even in noisy environments and under other conditions that usually interfere with their studies.
Experts recommend that teachers include physical activity in their regular lessons, plan daily outdoor exercise activities, and provide at least 2,5 hours of physical activity per week to students.
Based on materials from medlinks.ru