In today’s society, having a good education ensures a stable and prosperous future. Much pressure is inflicted upon students in order to have excellent grades, thus resulting in less time for extracurricular activities, such as sport. However, does consistent physical activity ensure an improved academic performance among peers at Marianopolis? Research has shown that being involved in fitness does improve grades. People who, in school, do not participate in extracurricular affairs tend to obtain lower grades than people who participate in sports. This subject is particularly interesting for students. It encourages them to practice more sports so that their grades could go up. Indeed, we believe that physical activity does in fact have a positive consequence on academic performance. In fact, research studies show a lot of correlation between physical activity and good grades at school. To that effect, a very interesting study by Professor Eric DeMeulenaere proves that students who participate in an extracurricular activity such as sports increase his or her chance for greater academic success. It has also been proven, that confidence plays a significant part in student’s academic standing. According to DeMeulenaere (2010), confidence can greatly encourage teenagers to participate in a sports team. Therefore, their academic performance will rise. This is relevant to our study because we are also interested in the happiness and confidence of Marianopolis students. Similarly, a study by several researchers demonstrates the positive effect PE classes could have on grades. Again, physical activity leads to greater self-esteem during school. (Sollerhed 2005). Another study completed in 2005 demonstrated a strong correlation between fit... ... middle of paper ... ... of Satisfaction and Cohesion. Journal of Sports Behaviour, 34(2), 150-159 DeMeulenaerse (2012). Playing the game : sports as a force for promoting improved Academic Performance for urban youth. Journal of Cultural Diversity, no.4. 127- 135. Sollerhed; Ejlertsson; Apitzish, (2005). Predictors of a stronge sense of coherance and positive attitudes to physical education in adolescants. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, No.5, 334-342. Chomitz, Slining, McGowan, Mitchell, Dawson, Hacker. (January 2009). Is There a Relationship Between Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement? Positive Results From Public School Children in the Northeastern United States. Journal of School Health, Vol. 79, Issue 1, 30-37. Martin, Chalmers. (2007). The Relationship Between Academic Achievement and Physical Fitness. Physical Education, Vol. 64, Issue 4, 214 – 221.
The book begins by explaining how important exercise and being active is to our health and well-being. The author then transitions into a story about Naperville Central High School. This high school was in the forefront of a revolutionary new concept that involved vigorous exercise of its students instead of a traditional gym class. This new approach stimulated new research on the brain, and the effects of exercise on the well being of our body and minds. After the introduction of the new fitness programs, the school’s students showed drastic increases in standardized tests, and on normal tests as well.
Based on their evidence, the focus on athletics contributes to lower dropout rates and higher test scores; however, they do note that students participating in athletics are obligated to be extremely focused and dedicated. It is no secret that achieving in athletics and academics is challenging and demanding. Additionally, communities achieving success in the athletic field have a greater social capital. Social capital is “the norms, the social networks, and the relationships” that individuals have within one another (Bowen and Hitt). Social capital is pertinent for children growing up to be prosperous adults. These relationships help build academic success. Likewise, most schools have equal success in athletics and academics. This direct relation has been researched and speculated to prove that athletics do not take away from academics but rather facilitate
"The Relationship between Athletics and Academic Achievement (Bowdoin, Gender and Women's Studies)." Bowdoin College. Mar. 2009. Web. 27 July 2011.
... physical education (J. Sproule, Ed.). Retrieved February 25, 2014, from Sage Journal website: http://epe.sagepub.com/content/11/3/257.short#cited-by
John F Kennedy once said, “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” He believed that a person who has conditioned their body will exceed when striving towards intellectual achievements. Parents across America have seen the influence that physical exercise can have on students. After school physical education programs, such as sports, not only condition the students to maintain physical health, they also work with teachers to make sure the mind is also being conditioned through learning. Students who participate in school sports are required to maintain their grades to academic standards to be able to participate in the activity. Even though many people would agree that physical education is important to a student’s health and learning process, schools across America are still suffering budget cuts that directly affect the physical education programs and hinder the amount of resources schools have to educate students about physical education. In some cases programs have been removed from schools entirely due to the tremendous cuts in school funding. Physical education programs in schools should not suffer from budget cuts because they support making positive life choices, the exercise is good for an active brain, and being physically fit is important for children as they grow into adults.
Physical fitness is defined as being physically fit and healthy. The question that many physical educators are faced with today is; how do to get across the importance of these two factors? This is not always an easy thing to accomplish. When taking a look at the three major levels of school students go through (elementary, secondary and high school) the educator faces some sort of difficulty in teaching the five parts of fitness. This paper will give information concerning these factors and also a few ideas on how to teach these topics to students at various age groups.
Tremarche, P., Robinson, E., & Graham, L. (2007). Physical education and its effect on elementary testing results. Physical Educator, 64(2), 58-64.
A study done at the American College of Sports Medicine reported that “fourth and fifth grade students who ran around and otherwise exercised vigorously for at least 10 minutes before a math test scored higher than children who sat quietly before an exam.” Physical activity is said to improve much more than physical health, and is known for the improving one’s memory and focus. Another article mentioned that physically active students tend to outperform their peers in the classroom who are not active. The article also mentions that “physically active students have larger brain volumes in the basal ganglia and hippocampus, areas associated with cognitive control and memory (Medical News, 1).” Exercise has been known to help students concentrate better in their classes, and accomplish their homework later
Adams, Jill U. "Physical Activity May Help Kids Do Better in School, Studies Say."Washington Post. The Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
Physical education must be mandatory for students all over the world. It provides many conveniences for children later in life. Sports in school encourage kids to play more outside of school and from there, their health increases. Unquestionably, physical education improves kids’
Speregen, Kathy. “Physical Education in America’s Public Schools”. University of Michigan. SiteMaker, n.d. Web. 26 April 2014
Sports programs have been an integral part of all schools. They support the academics of the school and therefore foster success in life. These programs are educational and help produce productive citizenship. They help students experience and build skills that may help them in their future, like interpersonal and time management skills. Education may kindle the light of knowledge, but sports help to maintain the proper physique. Sports are also an important means of entertainment and a use for energy after long hours of study. Sports increase a student’s performance not only in the classroom but also in their life.
“Children who exercise regularly have higher levels of self-esteem.” (Brown, W.J. & Brown P.R., 1996, p19). Teaching Physical Education can have immediate health benefits as it helps normalise body weight and body composition. Physical activity also promotes positive mental health. Both immediate outcomes may be useful in motivating physical activity practices so that they have long term benefits. One of the main benefits of physical activity is that “it keeps children involved and that it invariably makes you feel good.” (Brown, W.J. & Brown P.R., 1996, p19). Getting the correct amount of Physical activity in school hours will decrease the rates of obesity and will reduce the risk of diabetes, asthma, heart disease and other health related illness’. Regular exercise for children also helps their cardiovascular health and bone development. There is also evidence that Physical Activity has a positive effect on mental health in children, including reducing anxiety and depression and improving their mood. However, there is some evidence that for children who don’t enjoy Physical Education it can have a negative impact on their self-esteem and
“Physical education plays a critical role in educating the whole student. Research supports the importance of movement in educating both mind and body. Physical education contributes directly to development of physical competence and fitness. It also helps students to make informed choices and understand the value of leading a physically active lifestyle. The benefits of physical education can affect both academic learning and physical activity patterns of students. The healthy, physically active student is more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. … Throughout the school years, quality physical education can promote social, cooperative and problem solving competencies. Quality physical education programs in our
Physical education provides a variation of motor skills aimed to enhance the physical, mental, social and emotional development. The obesity statistics of 2009 quantified that childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since 1980 and in addition to concerns regarding chronic diseases, overweight and obesity incidences have even led to poorer levels of academic achievement (Taras & Potts-Datema, 2005). Additionally, in order to teach students the importance of preventing these ailments, those who oppose the amount of time in physical education or want to cut it out altogether should reconsider. Instead, time in physical education should be as equal as core subjects are seen. Physical education can help children in the classroom as well. The physical educator can incorporate math or science in to their lessons. If they are jump roping, they can skip count...