Fit Body Fit Mind Physical Fitness & Wellness Department Lansing Community College Amy Stoakes, MS, CES Program Director

Fit Body – Fit Mind Old and new research is coming together regarding physical activity and learning and the bottom line is…. Physical activity is related to brain health Brain Rule # 1

SPARK “Both the body, and the brain, work together. We have to see it as part of the curriculum.” The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain John Ratey, MD (2008)

Key ingredient Exercise fires the same neural connections that the brain uses to read, write & compute

Exercise benefits (CDC, 2010) Exercise increases biochemical changes: cerebral capillary growth blood flow to the brain Neurotrophin production Growth of nerve cells in the hippocampus neurotransmitter levels nerve connections density of neural networks brain tissue volume

Research (Ratey, 2008) Exercise improves learning: Optimizes mind-set Improved neural connections Angiogenesis

Executive Function Exercise feeds the brain: glucose + oxygen= builds greater connections between neurons

BDNF – “Miracle Grow” for the brain Exercise activates, BDNF, a neuron growth factor: Enhance knowledge Improve memory Increase critical thinking skills keeps us alert reduces stress = ready to learn

Memory & Learning Exercise has the most effect on the hippocampus … Where memory and learning take place

10 Students should have a kinesthetic brain break every minutes.

Exercise Intensity There is a linear relationship between heart rate & academic performance

Academic Performance (CDC, 2010) Exercise impacts: standardized test scores Grade point average (GPA) Attention Behavior

Mind and Body Exercise can not only keep you fit, but can make you smarter. A school in Illinois has developed a program that gets students moving and learning. Mind and Body

Naperville High School, 1990’s How Exercise for Learning Readiness started… Zero Hour PE Freshmen needing to increase Literacy Expanded to include Algebra

Naperville Zero Hour PE class

Zero Hour PE class delay % Improvement - Algebra % Improvement - Literacy

Titusville Pennsylvania, 2000 Low income district Below state average in reading & math tests Restructured school day: shaving time from academic classes to make time for daily gym. Increased standardized test scores 17% above state avg – Reading 18% above state avg - Math Decreased aggressive behavior!

California Department of Education, 2001 Longitudinal study (since 2001) > 1 million students 3-9 th grades Students with higher fitness scores have higher standardized test scores Fit kids scored twice as well on academic tests as unfit peers Lower SES status kids scored higher than unfit peers Lead to requirements for students to participate in physical education in school

Texas million Texan students grades 3-12 Students who are physically fit are more likely to: Perform well on the state standardized tests Have better school attendance Less likely to have discipline issues

University of Illinois Study, 2009 Expanded version of CDE study During cognitive testing used EEG measured- attention, working memory & processing speed Increased fitness correlated with increased test scores Decrease in the number of mistakes kids made during tests Lead to a formal recommendation from a panel of researchers!

22 University of Illinois Study, 2009

Saginaw Valley State University, undergraduate students Students who regularly exercise vigorously = higher G.P.A.’s Does exercise really boost grades, or are academic achievers more likely to be higher achievers in exercise as well? YES! It does boost grades. Controlled for confounding factors

24 The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education, and Academic Performance The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education, and Academic Performance U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division of Adolescent and School Health April 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The association between school- based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2010.

25 Implications for Policy Substantial evidence physical activity improves academic achievement Physical activity impacts cognitive skills, attitudes, & academic behavior = academic performance Schools should continue to offer and/or increase opportunities for physical activity Increasing/maintaining time dedicated to PE may help & DOES NOT adversely impact academic performance Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The association between school- based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2010.

College student barriers College students: Physical activity levels decrease after high school Participate in fewer organized sports No physical education curriculum Significant change of life events School Work Family Balancing new demands Not enough time

LCC physical activity survey, 2010 Physical Activity Survey Fall 2010 Semester Survey results (n= 612)

Knowledge of physical activity benefits

Does knowledge = participation? Students who knew about the cognitive benefits of physical activity, had a higher probability of participation in walking or moderate physical activity: ADHD Improve GPA/test scores/class grades Improve learning

LCC’s “Zero Hour PE” class Exercise & Learning Readiness PFFT 110 Tues/Thurs 8:30-9:30 AM Started in Fall 2009

Physical Activity Classes Any physical activity class: Provides aerobic exercise Increases heart rates Provides academic encouragement Will provide cognitive benefits More is better!

Physical Fitness & Wellness Department Brain Break activities Activity Breaks PFW Department website link:

Knowledge CAN = Participation There is a positive relationship between physical activity & academic achievement Unfortunately, not enough students know about it…

Improve student success Inform students about the relationship between physical activity and academic performance Perform Brain & Activity breaks in your classes Include this information in your class if possible Encourage your students to exercise

Questions ??? Questions ?? You may also contact me at: Desk: PFW office: