Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Sept/Oct 2016 | Page 9

Research first confirmed the positive effects of exercise on the elderly brain , and in recent years these findings fueled many studies involving kids . What the research has revealed so far points toward the importance of reinstating physical education and recess to their rightful places in the curriculum and school day .

To be clear , exercise doesn ’ t make kids smarter like some magic knowledge pill , but it influences brain functioning in key ways . Research shows that , compared to less active kids , physically fit kid focus better in the classroom , apply more brain resources to a task , concentrate on a task for a longer period of time , are less disruptive in class , have higher self-esteem , have less depression and anxiety , identify visual stimuli faster

MOVE TO LEARN

Back in the day , every school offered physical education and recess . A physical education curriculum might include calisthenics and opportunities to experience a variety of sports . Recess was a time for play . Kids could organize their own games of kickball , soccer , or basketball , or they could engage in something unstructured , wholly of their own creations . We took for granted that our school days included plenty of exercise . PE and recess were ways for kids to develop their bodies in the same way that classroom time was meant to develop their brains . But these days , there is less and less school time for PE and recess even though a lot of scientific research is telling us that exercise , while helping kids stay physically well , also helps develop their brains in ways that boost their academic performance .

LEARN LIKE CAVEMEN

To begin to understand why physical activity is essential to the young brain , we have to look back to the beginning of our evolutionary history . During that early period , survival depended on a lifestyle characterized by a near constant state of movement . In fact , data indicate that early humans walked up to 12 miles a day ! Scientists found that this physical activity had an extraordinarily positive impact on human brain development . It appears that movement is absolutely basic to our existence .

From this discovery , scientists reasoned that physical activity might stimulate cognitive functioning .

All of this suggests that exposing children to regular exercise better prepares them to learn in school . It should be noted that although not all studies showed that exercise improved academics , none found that PE and / or recess had a negative effect on academic performance compared to those who spent more time in the classroom . So even if exercise doesn ’ t always have a direct positive influence on grades and test scores , there doesn ’ t appear to be a negative impact on academics by allowing kids time to be active . We know without doubt that exercise can help kids avoid obesity and ill health , so why not make more time for PE and recess during the school day ?

We are The Brand X Method™ . We specialize in training kids for optimal fitness , injury prevention , and improved sports performance , and we fully embrace the positive relationship between exercise and the brain . That ’ s why we are committed to bringing a revitalized PE back to schools that embodies the old school spirit while providing state-of-the art training . Visit us at thebrandxmethod . com .

Resources for More Information : Brain Rules , John Medina - http :// www . brainrules . net / Spark , James Ratey - http :// sparkinglife . org /

Dan Edelman began his fitness journey in 1978 with his uncle ’ s cast-off weight set and Arnold as his role model . His reeducation began in 2007 when he discovered Brand X . With 20 years as a professional editor , Dan ensures the clarity of the communication , educational , and publication efforts of the Brand X Method™ . He assists in the logistics and marketing sides of the Brand X Method Teen Gauntlet and is a member of the Brand X Method Training Seminar staff . He holds certifications for the TBXM™ Online Basic Kids Certificate Program , TBXM™ Advanced Kids Course , and TBXM™ Youth Barbell Course , and is a USAW Sports Performance Coach Level 1 . As a trainer , his focus is on training teens and adults . He has taken a special interest in long-term athletic development and the place of the Brand X Method in the youth sports system as well as on school campuses .

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Parent Teacher News • September / October 2016 • 7