We’d love to think that kids get more than just physical benefits from participating in physical activities. Well, according to research cited by Swimming Expert, Gary Mullen, we can believe just that.
In fact, the research was compelling enough to inspire Gary to state:
“Genetics load the gun, environment pulls the trigger” Gary Mullen, Swimming Expert
What’s more, Gary shares information that points to swimming as having an even greater impact on academic achievement than some “other” sports.
There is, in fact, more research than you can comprehend about the relationship between physical activity and academic performance and it confirms that academic performance improves as the amount of physical activity included in school time increases. It hasn’t been scientifically proved that the type of physical activity makes a difference in that increase, but there is some evidence pointing in that direction. Because swimmers use a variety of energy substrates and levels, it is a possibility that they excel more than those in some other types of sports and those who don’t get physical exercise at all.
From the results of a study (Academic performance of young competitive swimmers is associated with physical activity intensity and its predominant metabolic pathway: a pilot study) of 264 children swimmers in Spain show that:
- 89.3% reported positive academic rating – a clear tendency that higher levels of physical activity result in better grades.
- The highly active girls reached academic achievement that was superior to that of the moderately active ones. It was a significant statistical difference that occurred in the girls but not in the boys tested.
These results clearly suggest a higher physical activity level in swimming leads to improved grades in these Spanish students, but it doesn’t explain the why.
Here are 3 theoretical reasons why swimmers get good grades:
Higher Socioeconomic Status
Socioeconomic status and SAT scores are positively correlated. In other words, students from higher income backgrounds generally achieve higher academic scores. (21.2% variance that is a composite of mother’s education, father’s education, and parental income. This is likely due to some combination of educational opportunity, school quality, peer effects and other social factors. Higher socioeconomic class = higher SAT scores + better grades.
Greater Internal Motivation
Being able to swim in a pool by oneself at all – but especially for dedicated swimmers who may spend 2 hours a day swimming – requires a high level of internal motivation. Since the water prevents much verbal interaction, it also requires the ability to work by oneself is essential for elite academics. These skills contribute to good study skills – a typical requirement for good grades.
Improved Confidence and Mood
Any kind of exercise improves mood. This includes improving confidence – ranging from achieving goals to improving body image. Exercise causes a release of endorphins – which improves mood and when confident and in a good mood, a student is more likely to excel in academics.
These results are not only generalizations, but they can apply to other sports – not just swimming.
- Youth soccer and juvenile level hockey players attained a slightly higher level of academic achievement in years when they were active when compared to years that they weren’t.
- No such association was found in basketball, volleyball, and wrestling.
- Significantly higher academic scores were achieved by individual sports (such as rowing) than were achieved by those participating in rugby, soccer or no sport at all among high school (secondary school) students.
Resources: Swimming.about.com, Gary Mullen
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