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Overweight Children Improve Learning With Vigorous Exercise

A recent study from the Medical College of Georgia finds that three months of daily, vigorous physical activity in overweight children improves thinking ability, in addition to lowering diabetes risk, reducing body fat, and strengthening bones. The research team looked at 200 overweight, inactive children, ages 7 to 11 who were taught the importance of healthy nutrition and benefits of healthy activity. A third of the children exercised 20 minutes a day and another third exercised for 40 minutes. The children played games that increased their heart rate to 79 percent of maximum, achieving a vigorous level of exercise.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, which show brain activity, were performed on a percentage of children in each group and found those who exercised had different patterns of brain activity during an executive function task. Researchers gave the children tests that examined their decision-making processes. The researchers found small to moderate improvements in children who exercised as well as a minimal increase in math achievement.

According to researchers, "Aerobic exercise training showed dose-response benefits on executive function (decision-making) and possibly math achievement, in overweight children. Regular exercise may be a simple, important method of enhancing children's cognitive and academic development." The research team hopes that the findings persuade policymakers, schools, and communities that time spent being physically active can enhance a child's ability to learn.

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