ABSTRACT
Exercise can be a significant contributor to learning, aiding cognitive function, mood regulation, and general mental health. In terms of academic gains, aerobic activities are superior to activities focused on strength or flexibility. The key mechanism seems to regard the production of growth factors triggered by aerobic exercise, which in turn promotes the development of neural connections and blood vessels in the brain. Students who participate in an average of 15 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a day improve their academic performance, with diminishing benefits after 60 minutes. Some schools have even found the introduction of small exercise breaks and increasing recess time to be effective in addressing behavioral and attention-related problems such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-Disorder. New research suggests benefits similar to aerobic exercise might be achieved through High-Intensity Training. Exercise effects should be considered in the design of all school schedules.
