<h2><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brendon-hyndman-176001" rel="author"><span class="fn author-name">Brendon Hyndman</span></a></h2>
<p class="role">Senior Lecturer and Course Director of Postgraduate Studies in Education, Charles Sturt University</p>
<h2>Federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie recently unveiled <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/kids-news/push-for-compulsory-school-sport-and-pe-kicks-off/news-story/ef92bd4292ec6b680c9d5a2034804e18?nk=169d54edbe92baeb4267a9b672695752-1531953073" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/kids-news/push-for-compulsory-school-sport-and-pe-kicks-off/news-story/ef92bd4292ec6b680c9d5a2034804e18?nk%3D169d54edbe92baeb4267a9b672695752-1531953073&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNErersIZ9oYLajz3U2NtX_5K5h9rg">plans</a> to convince state education and sports ministers to ensure sport and physical education is compulsory in schools.</h2>
<p>The physical benefits of getting kids moving have been well <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673614606486" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673614606486&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNGzqWS5U34RmDGXHSnJ6iDlRc1s5g">recognised</a> to help prevent chronic disease and develop movement habits across their <a href="https://insights.ovid.com/mespex/201405000/00005768-201405000-00014" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://insights.ovid.com/mespex/201405000/00005768-201405000-00014&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNHptCIdeJagnQoodAIvHIztaElcYQ">lifespan</a>.</p>
<p>Yet one of McKenzie’s key <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/kids-news/push-for-compulsory-school-sport-and-pe-kicks-off/news-story/ef92bd4292ec6b680c9d5a2034804e18" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/kids-news/push-for-compulsory-school-sport-and-pe-kicks-off/news-story/ef92bd4292ec6b680c9d5a2034804e18&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNGtr2Of8UI25y1pSCPQNSFea8H1WQ">points</a>, to push for mandatory physical education, was based on improving school results.</p>
<p>This statement is an important and positive shift in the education sector. Until recently, bodies and minds were often considered separate entities when it came to education. </p>
<p>Physical education has been <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18377122.2015.1054149" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18377122.2015.1054149&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNFn0W-TlRE1qaiOGV9RqIR5TdZfeA">perceived</a> as only dealing with the “movement of the body” or the “non-thinking thing”. So historically, it has been pushed to the periphery. For example, physical education is yet to be an endorsed focus for the national <a href="https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/senior-secondary-curriculum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/senior-secondary-curriculum/&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNH7cSpNbnG9GrauotLcgPJ5uqZGrg">senior secondary curriculum</a>. </p>
<p>Yet over the past two decades, growing research has strongly recognised the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18377122.2015.1054149" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18377122.2015.1054149&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNFn0W-TlRE1qaiOGV9RqIR5TdZfeA">inter-connections</a> between body and mind.</p>
<h2>How can movement help a student’s brain?</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627315002597" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627315002597&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNHCsfuctPUffDh5-gEkJWgRhViz1A">Brain processing</a> takes up about 20% of our total metabolism through cognitive activities like memory, attention and concentration. </p>
<p>This cognition needs a strong <a href="https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.14814/phy2.12163" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.14814/phy2.12163&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNHUVjD0C5Bat_MYJhc2IHdzOYP1HA">flow</a> of fuel (glucose, oxygen) and hormones to activate and enhance the brain’s capacity to perform, learn and get rid of waste.</p>
<p>So any prolonged sitting and inactivity can lead to negative cognitive <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2016/05/06/bjsports-2015-095551?utm_source=trendmd&;utm_medium=cpc&;utm_campaign=alljjs&;utm_content=consumer&;utm_term=1-A&;casa_token=MYGJWSTxlfAAAAAA:kiCWJs8CAJQIJLW8Qqp_c4x-zwcSOXbagAXK6v8oLvMIFVQtGm9JWV6_3_juVW5TlkHuca7p2tCXcw" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2016/05/06/bjsports-2015-095551?utm_source%3Dtrendmd%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3Dalljjs%26utm_content%3Dconsumer%26utm_term%3D1-A%26casa_token%3DMYGJWSTxlfAAAAAA:kiCWJs8CAJQIJLW8Qqp_c4x-zwcSOXbagAXK6v8oLvMIFVQtGm9JWV6_3_juVW5TlkHuca7p2tCXcw&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNFmtN6cFxFsllChscI95rhIb20Gjw">consequences</a>. For instance, inactivity in childhood has been linked to reduced <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022347617307758" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022347617307758&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNGtjZ8hXF2Vg304xiLtbd5mMAgMnw">working memory</a>, <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0103559" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id%3D10.1371/journal.pone.0103559&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNEJZppUmmPWssikEj_SJfv-ay3vVA">attention</a> and learning. </p>
<p>A student’s brain does not keep itself healthy independently. It is the connection with a healthy, moving body that can help improve brain performance.</p>
<p>Physical activity is also important in <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&;lr=&;id=CFhhBQAAQBAJ&;oi=fnd&;pg=PT13&;dq=Ratey+%26+Hagerman&;ots=6GjsNnv75T&;sig=UucMNka1u_naqwqldZztpt4O3ME#v=onepage&;q=Ratey%20%26%20Hagerman&;f=false" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://books.google.com.au/books?hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26id%3DCFhhBQAAQBAJ%26oi%3Dfnd%26pg%3DPT13%26dq%3DRatey%2B%2526%2BHagerman%26ots%3D6GjsNnv75T%26sig%3DUucMNka1u_naqwqldZztpt4O3ME%23v%3Donepage%26q%3DRatey%2520%2526%2520Hagerman%26f%3Dfalse&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNFEFRc6Hmig1FXw7f1wczPbqrL-Tw">developing</a> students’ brain structures (cells/neurons) and functioning at an early age. </p>
<p>The human brain is not fully developed until the third <a href="https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/abs/10.1123/pes.2013-0125" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/abs/10.1123/pes.2013-0125&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNFS5Sgo-8CeyVXMVL0lxOKaQCoaGQ">decade</a> of life, so getting kids moving can be a powerful academic strategy. </p>
<h2>What does the research tell us?</h2>
<p>More studies are linking physical activity and improved cognitive function. One of the most globally <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306452209001171" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306452209001171&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNFlyvg6FU-bZbuB7X7cR94m8YE4Rw">recognised</a> found primary school students’ level of cognitive function increased from just 20 minutes of walking. Students did better in an academic test and had improved attention.</p>
<p>ince this study, there have been many other US studies that have established links between physical activity and students’ academic performance, including from the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2008.00371.x" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2008.00371.x&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNHX5ZPVSACdM2oe2a5SuoLytN-1xw">north east</a> (with more than 1800 students) and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02701367.2010.10599690" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02701367.2010.10599690&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNHBpXzUwkfowEX2tJGtW2TX8Gn0-g">Texas</a> (2.5 million students). </p>
<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743511000557" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743511000557&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251224000&;usg=AFQjCNFjdZrdp5Q_JIptrAAOYbNHBUzTKw">Several large</a> <a href="https://shapeamerica.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02701367.2011.10599785" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://shapeamerica.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02701367.2011.10599785&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNH698z6EryXx-ljuKVXLWQKBYTCNQ">scale</a> <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254612000737" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254612000737&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNE-SJ9SXzT7y5zmWPPhPMG8TSHBGA">reviews</a> have also identified links between physical activity and students’ academic performance, for example, grades and test scores.</p>
<p>In Australia, a <a href="https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/abs/10.1123/pes.24.1.45" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/abs/10.1123/pes.24.1.45&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNF3_Gvx1hm4O-J5Hy2BvYSV-8nEhQ">study</a> of 757 primary school students across 29 primary schools found fitter children had higher NAPLAN scores. Students with specialist physical education teachers also had higher numeracy and literacy <a href="https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300220" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300220&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNFLDeYX7Qv9Cjt0YvBTSFnK3-ONxw">scores</a>.</p>
<p> ;</p>
<p>There is also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856717303180" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856717303180&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNETPKrPpV-M4LiVZ01Aj_MplczHQw">evidence</a> of improved cognitive performance (attention, memory, concentration), <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0134804" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id%3D10.1371/journal.pone.0134804&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNF22Kjf8oXLg_9dKsvS3KXOBZuJCQ">self-esteem</a>, <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2011/07/31/bjsports-2011-090185.short" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2011/07/31/bjsports-2011-090185.short&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNFhdW5N-thy_nMgAwCKJJ5nCgGkiQ">m<wbr />ental health</a> (reduced depression, anxiety, stress), <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24524375" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24524375&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNHg1GIzTzOA-SfsI8OnoTmHekPm0g">enjoyment</a> and <a href="https://shapeamerica.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02701367.2017.1294244#.W0_NloVOLmI" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://shapeamerica.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02701367.2017.1294244%23.W0_NloVOLmI&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNGXUgVVIfrGBgO2Me1GjPvgPjWl9g">lesson engagement</a> from school students’ participation in physical activity.</p>
<h2>What type of physical activity is best?</h2>
<p>Researchers are still <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254614001203" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254614001203&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNHKLzKEuE3-NAI_gciOwoNUmc2MuA">working out</a> what types, conditions and length of physical activities can have the most effect.</p>
<p>For instance, going for a routine walk requires less decision-making and intensity than completing a <a href="https://toughmudder.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://toughmudder.com.au/&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNFg1LRMYoMgUgq-du8Dsn8pGLJLVw">Tough Mudder</a> or <a href="https://www.9now.com.au/australian-ninja-warrior" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.9now.com.au/australian-ninja-warrior&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNET2Zv9PUKh54OJ7Vr893i_D5HM9A">Ninja Warrior</a> course.</p>
<h2>Top 5 tips to provide high quality physical activity at school</h2>
<p><strong>1. Curriculum</strong></p>
<p>Opportunities to take part in authentic (resembling real-world) <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1356336X13496001" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1356336X13496001&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNHlYI60Djj4aYVWulZNNQ0dKM0oig">games</a> and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13573322.2011.624594" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13573322.2011.624594&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNHK6tqkw-5HrSiQxBY1CXWWEVo5RQ">sports</a>, embedded with <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18377122.2015.1051268" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18377122.2015.1051268&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNF7geAD91ZsgSxo8jCMOgZGdTPuxQ">reflective</a> and guided thinking opportunities. This can help students develop solutions to movement problems and understand sporting traditions, roles, teamwork and rules.</p>
<p><strong>2. Classroom</strong></p>
<p>Provide <a href="https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@fc/documents/downloadable/ucm_455767.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@fc/documents/downloadable/ucm_455767.pdf&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNEQXQH3sP1m2pOf3vnQL3p_cgfpkQ">active breaks</a> (short break of a few minutes) with simple and/or integrated physical activities like moving to music during prolonged, inactive lessons to improve academic <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743516301049" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743516301049&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNHHtzbjd70MiCwofYrx1IbtSrFAuw">engagement</a>. </p>
<p><strong>3. Recess</strong></p>
<p>Access to a larger variety of mobile equipment can engage students in more <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14729679.2018.1436078" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14729679.2018.1436078&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNFt3Xuq11EjI3jIPtXQEmPJ2Wq-8w">creative</a> exploration of physical activities. </p>
<p>Mobile equipment can encourage more variety and choice for students to design complex, evolving physical activities beyond fixed locations. </p>
<p><strong>4. Before and after school</strong></p>
<p>Partnering with national sporting organisations through programs such as Australia’s <a href="https://www.sportingschools.gov.au/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=https://www.sportingschools.gov.au/about&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNH8t65e4kOjUxToRnlYJhnHPDMCPQ">Sporting Schools</a>.</p>
<p>Students can then pursue sports and physical activity beyond those facilitated at school and by the program.</p>
<p><strong>5. Active transport</strong></p>
<p>Set up a <a href="http://www.walkingschoolbus.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=http://www.walkingschoolbus.org/&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNF0Lqi70bKFYRyeQtWHrE-WPPBSUw">walking school bus</a> or <a href="http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/walking_school_bus/bicycle_trains.cfm" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&;q=http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/walking_school_bus/bicycle_trains.cfm&;source=gmail&;ust=1532566251225000&;usg=AFQjCNGKz9OYmxVqcEXAmlxQksRNZhMo1w">bicycle train</a> to plan a safely structured walk or ride to school with one or more adults, depending on air quality, distances to school and busyness of streets.</p>

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