21/06/2013
PURSUING EXCELLENCE
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SPORT AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
There is a widespread assumption that taking part in sport and other physical activity result in better academic achievement. The presumed mechanisms underpinning this relationship vary and include:
• Increased energy derived from fitness;
• Productive diversion resulting from time away from classroom
• Improved Reduced disruptive behavior
• Improved cognitive functioning as a result of increased cerebral blood flow or improvement of brain neurotransmitters, and
• A relation between motor and mental skills and increased self-esteem (Etnier at al, 1997, Lindner,1999)
Sallif (1999) illustrate that few relevant research finding are based on standardized, comparable, tests.
Consequently, there is no definitive evidence of a positive, causal relationship between physical activity and academic achievement. Where such correlation have been found, the explanation for the nature and direction of causal remains speculation (Shepherd, 1997)
However, within this context, there are some suggestive findings:
• Thomas et al (1994) conclude that the benefits of regular exercise on cognitive functioning are small but reliable for reaction time, sharpness and math
• Etnier et al (1997) found that both short-term and sustained exercise programs resulted in small positive gains in cognitive performance such as reaction time, perception, memory, reasoning
Youth receiving additional physical activity tend to improve brain attribution associated with increasing cerebral blood flow, changes in hormones levels, enhanced nutrient intake, and greater arousal (Shephard,1997)
Cockey (2002) states ‘’ a trio of studies presented at the 2001 society for neuroscience conference suggest that regular exercise can improve cognitive function and increase levels of substances in the brain responsible for maintaining the health of neurons.”
Contrary to the fears of some parents, research undertaken with control group and using standardized tests suggests that devoting substantially increased school time to physical education and sport does not have a detrimental effect on pupil’s academic performance (Sallis, 1999)