Move over, “3-Rs” (Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic).
- Aerobic activity should make up most of your child’s 60 or more minutes of physical activity each day and that three days should include vigorous-intensity aerobic activity.
- Forms of moderate-intensity aerobic activity may include bike riding or walking to school. Forms of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity may include running, jumping rope, or team sports such as soccer.
New research published in the Journal of Pediatrics suggests a fourth “R”, aeRobics, may also play a key role in classroom performance.
A team of researchers from Creighton University compared fitness levels and test scores among students in elementary and middle schools in Lincoln, Nebraska. The researchers found that aerobically fit students were 2.4 times more likely to pass math tests and twice as likely to pass reading tests than those who were not aerobically fit.
They also found that body-mass index (or BMI, a common measurement of body fat based on height and weight) was an important indicator for overall general health, but did not have a significant effect on test scores.
Based on these findings, the researchers suggest that, while parents should strive to help their children maintain a healthy weight, aerobic fitness may have an even greater effect on school performance than weight.
How Much Aerobic Activity Does Your Child Need?
According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations:
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