Why you want your kids jumping out of their seats
It may seem counterintuitive, but a new study in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise indicates that kids ages 9-12 do better on school tests when they are allowed to have 9 minutes of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) in the classroom before they pick up their pencils and take an exam. Not only does their elevated heart rate correlate with improved cognitive performance, but they are also better able to deal with making mistakes and then move forward.
We can all learn something from this research, which adds to earlier findings that: 1. College-age guys experience improved attention and processing speed after an acute bout of resistance exercise; 2. Older adults who exercise gain the greatest brain benefits from exercise with improvement in cognition, executive function and memory; and 3. Mind-body exercises like tai chi and dancing improve cognition, working memory, and learning in older folks, whether they're cognitively impaired or not.
The bottom line: At every age, you have to move it or lose it -- and it is especially important to teach kids the value of physical activity for the strength of their muscles and their mind. You can make that a family project by doing daily walks and playing together -- and making sure that no one is sedentary. Also, talk to the school about instituting a HIIE routine before tests. And check out my books "YOU: Raising Your Child" and "The RealAge Workout" and look for the AI-driven online coaching that will soon be available at 4YOUngevity.com.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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