More P.E. in School?

by kiwilog

When I was in grammar school (and high school, for that matter), I’d do anything to get out of gym class. I’d fake cramps, go to the nurse, “forget” my gym clothes. Now, I was a fairly active kid–I took dance classes three nights a week for almost 15 years–but contact sports and working out weren’t my thing. And when it came time for the physical fitness test, forget it! I’d practically make myself sick at the thought of struggling to do pull-ups while the entire class watched. Why am I getting graded in gym class, I’d wonder? What does it matter if I run a 5- or 15-minute mile?

But apparently, it does matter. According to a recent study from West Virginia University, kids who are more physically fit do better academically. The study looked at standardized test scores (in science, math, reading, and social studies) along with the fitness levels of about 700 5th grade students over a two year period. The results:

Highest test scores: students who were fit at both the start and end of the study
Second highest: students who were not fit in 5th grade, but increased their fitness level over two years
Third highest: students who were fit in 5th grade, but their fitness level dropped over two years
Lowest scores: students who were not fit at the start or end of the study

Coincidentally, another study by the Agricultural Research Service demonstrated that kids lose more weight when following an instructor-led program rather than working on it alone. This six month study was focused on 57 overweight children. Half of them did a self-taught program: they studied weight management books several times a week. The other half spent that time outdoors with an instructor along with a once-a-week indoor session learning about nutrition. The children working with the instructor lost more weight and had a major decrease in their body mass index (BMI) nearly two years later.

So, if physically fit kids do better in school, and instructor-led programs produce a greater effect on kids, should schools implement more physical education classes per week? What do you think?

-Nicole McGovern

Tags: exercise, gym, healthy school, kids, physical education, physical fitness