Exercise Can Affect a Child’s Cognitive Skills

A child’s thinking and learning skills may be affected by their physical activity levels. Researchers found that active children who are not overweight or obese performed better on tests of mental skills, such as planning and paying attention, than their inactive counterparts. In the study, active children were defined as those who took part in organized activities, such as swimming, gymnastics, soccer, or dance for more than an hour a week. Study author Dr. Catherine Davis adds, “Activity made a difference even among normal-weight kids. That verifies that physical activity makes a difference in brain function.” ediatric Exercise Science, October 2015