Does playing sports improve school grades?
The real relationship between sports and exams
There has been a myth, around for decades now, that sports can interfere with academic achievement.
The theory goes that encouraging pupils to get out of the classroom and away from their books interrupts studying and distracts them from learning. It sounds sensible but, in reality, exercise actually has the opposite effect.
What the science says
Time and time again, the research has shown a clear connection between taking part in sports and improving school grades. Regardless of the grades they’re getting, exercising several times a week can help pupils get higher marks. It works with all subjects, including the crucial areas of English and Maths.
What’s great about this is that it doesn’t have to be disciplined, focused sports. You don’t need to be professionally coached or even dedicated to a single sport. Simply getting on the move regularly can boost your brain and your grades. It means that any of our dozens of sports going to have huge benefits.
How it works
One reason exercise is so effective is because it’s so good for your mental health. We know now that being active helps reduce stress, improve mood and increase levels of concentration. Being happier makes children relaxed, which then makes them more focused throughout the day. In essence, the less time they spend being stressed or sad, the more time they have to just focus on the task at hand.
Crunch time
In fact, even in the run up to an exam, when it’s important to buckle down and revise, taking time out to keep up your activities won’t harm your grades at all. It seems that getting yourself out of a textbook and onto the pitch helps improve the quality of the time that you do spend revising.
So, what does all this mean? It means if you want to move up the class, then it’s time to get a move on! It’s fun, it’s healthy and it might just help you pass the next exam – that’s a win-win-win situation. Search near you to find your closest Premier Education session.
