Students who have been involved in physical activity for longer duration tend to show a higher academic performance compared to their peers. In the article, Why We Should Not Cut P.E, the authors mention that researchers have found improvements in perceptual skills, IQ scores on verbal and mathematics tests, concentration, memory, achievement (as measured by a combination of standardized test scores and grades) and academic readiness(Trost, Mars 2009). Although critics argue physical education is unnecessary as it takes up time from reading, and math, evidence from research proves otherwise. We see that physical activity increases students’ stamina sharpening their skills in multiple ways. Physical activity helps students learn and perform at a better rate and excel in their leaning. Multiple studies have shown this phenomenon across different age groups. A Canadian study examined students in grade 2 through 6 who received additional physical education earned better grades in French, Mathematics, English, and Science than did students who received the standard one period per week (Shephard, 1996). This study proves that physical activity enhances student learning causing them to show academic success quickly. It is counter intuitive to assume that physical activity delays student learning when research shows us evidence of it increasing their academic performance. For instance, aerobic exercise can improve memory and executive functioning in school age especially those who are overweight (Buck, Hillman, & Castelli, 2008). This is significant because it is clear that physical activity helps students improve their academic performance, in Movement is the Key to Learning, Gilbert talked about how using kinesthetic curriculum helped her classroom flourish. She states, “The gifted children discovered a new and exciting way to learn, the slower learners quickly became actively engaged and successful, the
Students who have been involved in physical activity for longer duration tend to show a higher academic performance compared to their peers. In the article, Why We Should Not Cut P.E, the authors mention that researchers have found improvements in perceptual skills, IQ scores on verbal and mathematics tests, concentration, memory, achievement (as measured by a combination of standardized test scores and grades) and academic readiness(Trost, Mars 2009). Although critics argue physical education is unnecessary as it takes up time from reading, and math, evidence from research proves otherwise. We see that physical activity increases students’ stamina sharpening their skills in multiple ways. Physical activity helps students learn and perform at a better rate and excel in their leaning. Multiple studies have shown this phenomenon across different age groups. A Canadian study examined students in grade 2 through 6 who received additional physical education earned better grades in French, Mathematics, English, and Science than did students who received the standard one period per week (Shephard, 1996). This study proves that physical activity enhances student learning causing them to show academic success quickly. It is counter intuitive to assume that physical activity delays student learning when research shows us evidence of it increasing their academic performance. For instance, aerobic exercise can improve memory and executive functioning in school age especially those who are overweight (Buck, Hillman, & Castelli, 2008). This is significant because it is clear that physical activity helps students improve their academic performance, in Movement is the Key to Learning, Gilbert talked about how using kinesthetic curriculum helped her classroom flourish. She states, “The gifted children discovered a new and exciting way to learn, the slower learners quickly became actively engaged and successful, the