Exercise and the Brain

Can Exercise Make Kids Smarter? The New York Times reports that two separate recent studies from the University of Illinois indicate that aerobic exercise has demonstrable positive effects on brain development in children.  At a time when many school Physical Education programs are being slashed because of budget issues or time constraints, more and more research suggests that physical activity is critical not only for the health and well being of students, but also for their cognitive development. These studies reinforce the message of John J. Ratey and Eric Hagerman’s groundbreaking Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. As curriculum developers and decision makers, we need to remember that Athletics and PE are not just add-ons.