• Question: Are the experiments regarding physical activity before revision enhancing exam results valid. Saw this on tv some 5 years ago where they had kids run around then do short revision sessions. Do you know the studies ?

    Asked by burkey912 to SusannaMarie, Paul, Kathrin, Joe, Iroise, Ian, Emma on 27 Apr 2015.
    • Photo: Emma Norris

      Emma Norris answered on 27 Apr 2015:

      There is lots of ongoing research into the effects of physical activity on learning. Experimental evidence has repeatedly shown children who are routinely more active to have higher test scores then children who are not. Research into one-off short sessions of physical activity on test scores are now emerging. These studies are still in their infancy but show promising effects for memory in the short term (a day or two) but less evidence for improvements in the longer term (over a week).

      However what is clear across this body of research is is that there is no academic disadvantage in adding physical activity into teaching.

      An example of a recent paper can be found here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25050827

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