More physical activity ‘can improve school performance’

The academic performance of schoolchildren could be bolstered by more frequent physical activity, according to research from the University of Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Academy.

A study of approximately 2,000 12-year-olds saw a cohort of children in the Gothenburg region given two hours of extra play and motion activities per week – approximately twice the normal amount of curricular physical activity.

It was revealed that a larger proportion of students in the intervention group were able to achieve national learning goals in all subjects examined – Swedish, English and maths – compared to a control group.

The finding held true among boys and girls, as well as pupils from different cultural backgrounds, while the average level of income, unemployment and education among parents also did not reduce the positive impact.

Scientist and neurologist Thomas Linden said: "It's being discussed whether more physical education in school would take time from academic subjects, and in this way weaken school performance. Our study shows that exactly the opposite may be the case."

This adds to the significant body of evidence indicating that greater physical activity can lead to benefits in terms of mental health and achievement.