Active Education: Physical education, physical activity and academic performance

Publication Date: November 2007

Publisher: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Abstract:

Educators, policy-makers and parents are concerned about academic achievement in the nation's schools. One response to that concern is a focus on testing, and schools have responded by trying to meet those academic standards.

At the same time, in their effort to boost academic performance—and test scores—many schools across the United States have reduced or eliminated physical education.

Yet the available evidence shows that children who are physically active and fit tend to perform better in the classroom, and that daily physical education does not adversely affect academic performance.

This research brief from Active Living Research offers a summary of peer-reviewed research into the relationship between physical activity and children's academic performance.