Exercise is vital for study efficiency and revision. In this article we explain once and for all why exercise is a necessity for revision.
Benefits of Exercise for studying
Exercise has many different benefits for studying and mental health. This can be proved in many different articles and research tests such as one done by Smith et al , 2010 .
Which found different studies between 1966 and 2009 doing aerobic exercise training with the following criteria.
Results:
- 2049 participants from 29 studies that met criteria.
- All randomly assigned aerobic exercise training.
- The results told them that aerobic exercise training is associated with modest improvements in attention and processing speed, executive function and memory.
Another study done in 2014 gave a group of people a sample of images to remember – without telling them to memorize them – and split the group into a group which did no resistance training and one who did a little bit of resistance training.
The study found that only a little burst of resistance training enhanced memory as the exercise group performed better.
Benefits of exercise:
- Attention and processing speed
- Memory
- Improved mental health can help focus and overall well-being. – decreased risk of anxiety and depression
- Improved mood as endorphins are released around 20 minutes after exercise.
Did you know?
Types of exercise:
- Aerobic exercise – speeds up heart rate and is very common. Examples include swimming, jogging and cycling.
- Strength/resistance training – Builds muscle and strength. Examples include weight training and calisthenics.
- Stretching – Vital to keep flexibility and mobility.
- Balance – To keep core strength and balance skills.
Now that you know that exercise IS good for studying efficiency, concentration and memory. You might be asking how you should exercise for maximum studying effectiveness.
Best forms of exercise for effective studying
- Resistance training – Working out and doing resistance based training is very beneficial(as shown in the second mentioned study). If you train even 3 times a week it could benefit your focus and concentration.
- Cardiovascular training such as running or even playing a little sports at home in your study breaks can help your focus and help avoid burnout from studying. Sports like running, swimming, tennis, boxing etc.
- More intense training – hIIT(high intensity Interval training) such as sprinting and circuit training can boost brain function and information processing speeds.
How to fit it in
Balancing school work, extracurriculars and exercise can be hard. But by following these tips you can make sure you get beneficial exercise and full study sessions.
- Do short exercise bursts when resting between study sessions. We all know to rest between and during study sessions for 2-5 minutes, during this time you could do some push ups or short exercises.
- Plan your day so that you can fit at least 30 minutes of good exercise in.
- Joining a sports club externally or at your school can make it easier to make friends and fit in exercise as it is already part of your routine.
In conclusion, integrating regular exercise into your daily routine can significantly enhance your studying efficiency, brain power, and overall focus.
Scientific research underscores the profound benefits of physical activity on cognitive functions, including improved memory, heightened concentration, and faster information processing.
Aerobic exercises, strength training, and even mindfulness practices like yoga have all been shown to promote better mental health and academic performance.
By committing to a balanced regimen of physical activity, students can harness these benefits to boost their academic success and maintain optimal mental well-being.
Therefore, embracing exercise not only nurtures the body but also empowers the mind, making it an indispensable tool for achieving academic excellence.