BACKSTOP CHIROPRACTIC
GOOD HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Does Exercise Make Kids Smarter?

In the midst of reports of schools cutting recess and physical education
in order to provide additional time for standardizedtest preparation,
new research reveals that limiting physical activity may reduce
cognitive function in youngsters.

The research team from the University of Illinois presented their
findings this week at the annual meeting of the Society for
Psychophysiological Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

"We have found a strong relationship between academic achievement and
fitness scores," elucidates study co-author Darla Castelli. "Thosewho
scored well in academics also did well in physical fitness. We`re not
suggesting that if we run more laps it will make us smarter, but there
does appear to be a correlation."

Along with researchers Charles Hillman and Sarah Buck, Castelli analyzed about 500 third-, fourth-and fifth-graders. They compared the subjects` aerobic capacity, flexibility, muscle fitness and cognitive function (as determined by standard achievement tests and neuroelectric and behavioral responses to stimulus discrimination tasks).

"We found that fit children allocated more resources towards identifying
stimuli, and also processed stimuli faster," Hillman pronounced.
"Behaviorally, these effects showed up in that these fit children made
fewer errors than sedentary ones."

"Despite increased incidence of childhood obesity and type II diabetes
mellitus, physical education time is being reduced to address academic
issues related to federal `No Child Left Behind` legislation," adds
Castelli. "If evidence existed that physical education contributed to
intellectual development,it may gain credibility and instructional time."

Source: Society for Psychophysiological Research - October 20, 2004.
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