We all know the importance of physical exercise to lead a healthier and more balanced life. The sport must begin in childhood, favoring outdoor play, setting an example for our children and practicing family sports activities according to the age of our children.
The sport has multiple benefits for the physical and emotional development of children, but also, according to a study carried out by the University of Granada, it is linked to a greater volume of gray matter in numerous areas of the brain.
The most athletic children perform more academically
The research, published in the scientific journal Neuroimage and carried out by researchers from the University of Granada (UGR), is part of an international project jointly developed by the Joint Institute of Sports and Health and the Center for Mind, Brain and UGR behavior.
The trial, which included 2,038 Spanish children and adolescents between six and 18 years of age, intended to find out if there is a relationship between better physical fitness of children and the development of their brain, and studies have determined yes.
It seems that sports children and adolescents not only have a better physical and mental condition, but better brain health and greater academic performance.Scientists have confirmed that children with better physical and aerobic fitness have a higher volume of gray matter in many areas of the brain, so it is determined that "The physical condition of children can influence their brain structure, which in turn can determine their academic performance".
The cardiorespiratory capacity, the muscular strength and the motor capacity They have different effects on the brain and, therefore, on academic performance:
In this regard it has been seen that motor capacity is the one that most influences brain development, since it is associated with an increase in gray matter in brain regions related to learning, executive function and motor and visual processes.
On the other hand, the isolated association between greater cardiorespiratory capacity and higher academic performance was not so obvious. However, it has been seen that children and adolescents with lower levels of cardiorespiratory and motor capacity They had lower academic performance.
And as for the muscular strength it seems that no independent association has been found with the increase in academic performance.
According to the lead author of this study, Irene Esteban-Cornejo:
"Having high levels of cardiorespiratory and motor fitness can, to some extent, reduce the risk of school failure. Therefore, efforts must be made to promote physical activities for children and adolescents that include aerobic exercises and motor tasks to improve cardiorespiratory capacity. and motor, thus improving academic development "
More and more studies are emerging that talk about benefits of physical exercise in childhood. And is that sports not only prevents obesity, bullying or the development of certain diseases, but is an excellent way to keep the brain active and, as we have seen, to improve school performance.
Via Improving Academic Performance with Physical Fitness, Infosalus
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