Benefits of Physical Activity in The School System

Exercise is important. It helps us in so many ways, that it’s a wonder that it has even become a questionable requirement in the school system. There has been some debate on the importance of school gym class, or Physical Education (aka PE as many of us are familiar with) and if it should be a required class. While the requirement may vary from state to state, the reasons why gym class or PE should remain at least an option in all schools should be fairly obvious.

 

Aside from the obvious physical benefits listed below, it also encourages team work, group participation, memory improvements, and positive self-esteem.

The CDC lists these benefits of physical activity in the school system:

• Helps build and maintain healthy bones and muscles.
• Helps reduce the risk of developing obesity and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and colon cancer.
• Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety and promotes psychological well-being.
• May help improve students’ academic performance, including Academic achievement and grades, Academic behavior, such as time on task.
• Factors that influence academic achievement, such as concentration and attentiveness in the classroom.

These show that not only does physical activity help with the obvious health-related issues (like disease and muscle) but also with cognitive skills, anxiety, and overall behavior, all of which affect how a student acts and participates in and out of a school setting.

Before school even starts or maybe even before the summer ends (which many of you might be late getting a head start), you can start getting them hyped up about exercise. You can do this by working out with them and encouraging this lifestyle as the norm in your family. Even if it’s just a nightly after-dinner walk, or a weekend trip to the park to walk the trails, ride a bike, or throw a baseball around for a few hours, you can get them prepped for gym class without them even knowing. Also, kids LOVE new stuff, so maybe treat them to some new sneakers or athletic sandals from Famous Footwear. You can snag most of their gear at a discount right now.

In the end, as long as there is encouragement from home, and a mutual understanding of the benefits of gym participation, there should be no setbacks to attending and even participating in gym class.