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PPE 310: Health Literacy for Schools

Exercise and the Effect on Brain Functioning
Signature Assignment Rough Draft
Maria Andrade and Areli Jimenez
Professor Jessica Skipper
December 4, 2015

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Introduction
Does physical activity play a role in student achievement? Can exercising regularly lead
students to improve grades, test scores, attention span and behavior? Exercising and being
physical fit can have many positive impacts on ones physical and mental wellbeing. Individuals
who exercise regularly exude much energy and positivity in their daily lives. However, can this
also have an indirect impact on student achievement? This analysis will explore studies that help
prove physical activity is a direct correlation to student achievement. As such schools and
educators must incorporate more physical movement into their curriculum and stress the
importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle. Physical activity should not only be focused
entirely in specials such as PE. The more physical activity students are exposed to, the more it
will help to create an environment of active and engaged students who will become successful
individuals both inside and outside of school.
Literature Review
Hillman (2008) examined the positive effects of aerobic physical activity on students
academic achievement and brain functioning. In Hillmans research it explained that pupils who
engaged in vigorous physical activities performed better in school than those that performed
moderate or no physical activity. Meta-analytic findings state that physical activity has a

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positive effect on cognition in individuals. As a result, physical activity can have a positive
effect on a wide range of cognitive functions, especially on the executive control process. This
process helps students with planning, working memory and multitasking. In the article, the chart
illustration captures the impacts physical activity can have on various task types in individuals
such as controlled, spatial and speed processing. Student achievement on standardized math and
reading scores had a positive correlation to physical activity measured using the progressive
aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER) test (Hillman, 2008). Students performed at a
greater achievement level due to their active performance. Overall, the importance of physical
activity is a regime that leads to physical and mental health through ones life.
Cotman (2007) discussed several implications that show how physical activity can impact
the development of the brain. First and foremost, physical activity increases memory and spatial
learning. An individual is able to use their long-term memory and knowledge about the world
around them for life success and achievement. In regards to school, students will be able to
remember important facts as well as retain new knowledge in their long term memory. With the
increase in diseases caused by a lack of physical fitness; studies show that physical activity
delays onset of and reduces the risk for Alzheimer disease, and Parkinson's disease (Cotman,
2007). Physical activity also has a correlation to that of depression. The article discusses
exercise as a therapeutic outlet in guarding oneself against depression. Individuals who are
inactive will develop depression which can lead to a high rate of deaths. Exercise on the body
helps to release stress, improve acquisition and retention.
Becker (2014) focused heavily on how physical activity can be associated to selfregulation and academic achievement as young as in the prekindergarten level. A total of 51
students were assessed on self-regulation and active play. The students were preschool children

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who consisted of 22 females and 29 males. The purpose in this research was to measure whether
there was an indirect link between active play, self-regulatory skills and early achievement. The
results of this assessment suggested that children who spent more time in active play were more
likely to have higher self-regulation, which was then related to higher math and emergent literacy
achievement in preschool. (Becker, 2014) Physical activity helps to promote working memory
and attention for academic success. Results showed a link between active play and selfregulatory skills that ensure academic success in student development. Allowing more time for
recess during school hours will help individuals with inhibitory control, working memory, and
attention. When students are up and moving throughout the day they are more likely to process
and store the information in their working memory for later use. As stated, physical activity
helps facilitate self-regulation by helping them take control over their actions and learning to
better mediate such issues. Instead of becoming easily frustrated with a question, students learn
to handle the situation the best they can without making a fit. Research has found that students
who use hand gestures may show a deep cognition level in students working memory. Studies
show that cognition may be enhanced through movement by connecting motions and
gesticulations with problem-solving, learning, and intelligence. (Becker, D. D. R, 2014)
In Conyerss and Wilsons article, Smart Moves: Powering up the brain with physical
activity they discussed what recent researchers have found that physical activities have a positive
effect on the human brain (2013). They of gather data across the years from children young as
kindergarten. They discovered that physical activity helps the human brain function better,
learning, memory and helps us stay healthy. The article also talks about how physical activities
support the flow of the oxygen in which will help us do any tasks effectively. Lastly, the article
talks about the results of each study which states that physical exercise has a positive correlation

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to student academic success. In 2010, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention summarizing 50 studies involving physical education, active play during recess,
physical activity breaks in the classroom, and after-school sports and other activities found
positive academic performance. At the same time, they found no negative consequences for
making physical activity a regular part of the school day, which should relieve concerns that
taking time away from core subjects for play might decrease grades and test scores. (Wilson &
Conyers, 2013)
Another study was done by a University of Illinois and they report that 9- and 10-yearolds performed better on reading comprehension, spelling, and math tests when they had 20
minutes of physical activity before testing (CSBA & California Project LEAN, 2010). The
studies done by Wilson and Conyers have proven that having physical active within the
classroom increases students learning. But the next question is how? How physical activity
enhances brain power? Well, its because physical activity appears to stimulate the production of
a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which helps neurons and synapses
grow. In fact, BDNF has been likened to fertilizer for the brain (Wilson and Conyer, 2013). The
article also mentions subjects with higher levels of fitness show a superior ability to activate
frontal and parietal brain regions important for the monitoring, maintenance, and strategizing of
higher-level cognitive control abilities, important skills for academic performance (Wilson and
Conyer, 2013). So having these physical activities help the brain develop and have good
memorization.
Wilson and Conyer (2013) discussed how students that are involved in sports and extra
physical activities perform well in school. It also talks about how physical activity may also help
with classroom behavior. If the student is active they will learn and have no time to misbehave.

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Therefore, you have no classroom behavior issues. Those wanting to learn will have no
classroom behavior problems. The article also covered studies they did to see how physical
activities can increase student achievement. One of the main studies they sought out is how
humans provide additional evidence of the influence of physical activity on cognitive
development.
In the article Relationship of physical to Brain Health and the Academic performance of
school children talks about how they did a study of a total of 251 associations between physical
activity and academic performance, representing measures of academic achievement, academic
behavior, and cognitive skills and attitudes. Of all the associations examined, slightly more than
half (50.5%) were positive, 48% were not significant, and only 1.5% were negative. Meaning
they found that having physical activity within the classroom enhances cognitive learning and
better academic performance. The purpose of this study was to also see how the students
behavior and performance in the classroom was. If physical activity had evidence on cognitive
development and it did. Nine studies explored the physical activity that occurred in classrooms
apart from physical education classes and recess. In general, these studies explored short
physical activity breaks (520 minutes) or ways to introduce physical activity into learning
activities that were either designed to promote learning through physical activity or provide
students with a more pure physical activity break. Eight of the nine studies found positive
associations between classroom-based physical activity and indicators of cognitive skills and
attitudes, academic behavior, and academic achievement; none of the studies found negative
associations. By providing physical activities to the students, it gives this cognitive skills and
motor skills. It helps their blood flow, the growth of nerve cells in the hippocampus,
development of nerve connections and brain tissue volume. All which helps a student perform

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better in school. Thats why as a future teacher its important to have students activity moving to
help their brains develop so they can be successful by the time they are fully grown.
Synthesis
Overall, all five articles discussed the positive correlation that physical activity has on
student achievement. When students are physically active they will show growth in scores and
grades, retention of knowledge in their working memory, and improved attitudes and behaviors.
Exercising is a therapeutic motion that allows students to cast away any negative emotions such
stress and depression from affecting their brain development. As such, students learn selfregulatory skills that will help them cope and find alternative methods to solutions. In this
essence, students are in complete control over their lives. Student behavior in classroom instantly
drops as they attain more drive and focus to learn leaving them no time to misbehave in class.
Incorporating physical movement in the curriculum is a needed step component in increasing
academic success and reducing physical and mental health disorders to arise in students as young
as in the elementary level. Physical activity should not only be focused entirely in specials such
as PE. The more physical activity students are exposed the more educators will be creating an
environment of active and engaged students who will become successful both inside and outside
the classroom. Researchers have found that physical activities have a positive effect on the
human brain. Physical activity helps the human brain function better, learning, memory and
helps us stay healthy (Conyers, 2015). When students are moving they are actively sending
messages to their brain telling it to recharge and that it is time to start thinking. As a result,
students are able to think more cognitively and strategically about their responses and actions.
Practical Implications

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There are many practical implications that will be taken forth for this action plan. Some
which include marketing, events, committees, student engagement, funding and administration
support. The marketing strategy plan will be to send weekly newsletters to parents informing
them of upcoming events both occurring in the classroom and outside. Mini fact posts about the
functions of the brain, and exercise tips to incorporate at home with their children. In regards to
school influence, involving students to help spread the word of exercise on brain development
can be accomplished through daily announcements. Students can have their own segment
discussing brain facts, brain games and brain exercises which build high students engagement
and spirit. Fields trips to the park, going on a hike, or visiting a local farm as well as guest
speakers will help to promote physical movement and discussion on brain development as such.
This will show students that exercising and physical movement go hand in hand with one
another. The funds will be supported through grant writings to several businesses that provide
grants for educational field trip such as these. The field trips will be considered for various grade
levels and what is best fitting for them to go to.
The goal of this school wide event is to promote more academic and physical events at
both Rose Lane and Madison Heights. The even that will take place will be the Fuel up Your
Brain event. This event targets physical activity with a focus on academics. The event attains
multiple challenges with various problems ranging in science, language, arts and math. This is
very much like a decathlon, where students are passing the torch, in this case, their paper with
their recorded times, towards their teammates to complete the next challenge. The student who
passes the finish line first for their team wins the tournament and receives a prize. This event will
be held two to three times a year. Students times will be recorded as a form of data to check how
exercise impacts brain development.

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Before competing in the tournament, students will need to take a pretest and record the
amount of time spent on each question. Their pretest data will help compare the data attained
from the tournament in order to measure out student performance in accordance to physical
movement is a key component. The main focus is to measure whether students were able to
answer the questions at a quicker pace when incorporating physical movement into it. We will
need the support of a committee to run this event yearly as well as assistance from parents who
wish to participate. The committee will be in charge of setting up the event, advertising the
event, and bringing in parents for extra support. Their job will also be to collect the data and
analyze how the impact of physical activity can have major influences on the brain. In addition,
this committee sent out a letter to the district to provide funding for the prizes needed for the
tournament. Much of the funding attained from this event will consist of grant writing to various
institutions such as government department or corporations. Grant writing will be a major factor
of receiving the necessary funds. The prizes will consistent of goodie bags. Inside the goodie
bags there will be healthy snacks so they may have fuel for the brain. A water bottle, a pamphlet
of healthy exercise they can do at home and a pedometer so they may track the steps and calories
they burn.
Another goal that requires the aid of administration is in regards to the different types of
physical exercise. Schools should implement aerobic and yoga classes. Aerobics and yoga help
not only with the body but with the mind as well. Students stand to gain an increase in their
stamina, reduce health risks, and improve academic success. Students will be more engaged
about exercising when they are exposed to various exercises that will capture their interests.
Another component to address will be to incorporate more physical movement in the classroom
as well. Students should not be at their seats all day as they will easily lose interest and doze off.

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Educators must also step up to the plate and incorporate various physical movements in their
lessons. They too will also gain to see an improvement on students moods and academic
success.
The event will be taking place two to three times a year, specifically in September when
the students are already had a month in school. It is important that student be informed right
away how important their health is and motivate them to be healthy so their brains can function
well throughout the semester. The participation and excitement of the school, staff, and
committee are key essentials to making this event possible. As such, this will help motivate the
students to being more aware of the impact on physical exercise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, exercise and being physically active has various effects in the development
of the brain. Such implications that were discussed were student achievement growth in reading
and math, self-regulation, working memory, and improvement in attitudes. The importance to
incorporate more opportunities for students to become more active in school helps to increase
their engagement levels, attitudes, and grades as a result. As educators and role models, it is a
crucial importance to equip students with the knowledge and power of taking control over their
lives in order to create new change. Students need to understand the importance of living a
healthy and fit life. Incorporating more hands-on learning activities that require physical
movement helps promote successful students. The difficulty to incorporate physical activity in
classrooms and at school is not impossible to do. Taking the time to discuss and appreciate the
importance of living a physical and healthy life is a social justice educators must encourage
students to seek out for future success and wellbeing. As future educators, student success is key
and what better ways than to have them do physical activity that aids in brain stimulation. The

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Common Core and other standards require higher levels of cognitive activity and, in turn, aim to
increase cognitive performance. Providing regular opportunities throughout the school day to
enhance students cardiovascular fitness could truly set them up for students to have great health
and greater thinkers in life.

Fuel up your brain Newsletter

November 2015
Come and enjoy us to our Madison Heights and Madison Rose Lane to Fuel up your
brain. Our mission it to motivate you to live a healthier life for you and your family. Well
be having fun activities for you and your kids and great motivating guest speakers. Invite
your family and neighbors to this life changing experience. Its on November 23, 2015 at
5:00pm in both schools.
Any questions call or email:
ajreali@hotmail.com or call the schools offices : 602-751-0808

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References
Becker, D. D. R. (2014). Physical activity, self-regulation, and early academic achievement in
preschool children. Early Education and Development, 25(1), 56; 56-70; 70
Conyers, M., & Wilson, D. (2015). Smart moves: Powering up the brain with physical activity. Phi
Delta Kappan, 38-42.
Cotman, C. C. W. (2007). Exercise builds brain health: Key roles of growth factor cascades and
inflammation. Trends in Neurosciences (Regular Ed.), 30(9), 464; 464-472; 472.
Hillman, C. H., Erickson, K. I., & Kramer, A. F. (2008). Be smart, exercise your heart:

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exercise effects on brain and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(1), 58-65.
doi:10.1038/nrn2298.
Trudeau, F., & Shephard, R. (2009). Relationships of Physical Activity to Brain Health and the
Academic Performance of Schoolchildren. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 138-150.