ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the effects generated by academic stress on psychological variables such as affective response, mood, resilience, motivation and how exercise can contribute to a better academic life by a positive modulation of these variables. Schools are an optimal place for children and adolescents to improve their knowledge. Sports in school can be an optimal tool for improving several health aspects, academic achievement and social life, there is a small scientific background in youth sport guidelines, rules and regulations. The chapter discusses the biological mechanism caused by stress. Following Everly and Lating, there are two kinds of stress. The first is biogenic stress that does not need to be interpreted by high cognitive processes to induce autonomic nervous system (ANS) and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activation. Stress stimulates bidirectional communication between ANS and HPA axis with the immune system and other cells both acutely and chronically. This activation can generate positive or negative effects on learning and on disease symptoms.
