Studies hone in on need for gym class, preferably in the morning

Finnish researchers have found that significant physical activity can increase boys' academic performance, and a study out of Michigan State University and the University of Vermont concludes that providing aerobic exercise classes in the morning could reduce symptoms of ADHD in school and at home, suggesting that such programs could increase concentration for all children.

Working with 186 elementary school children in first through third grades, the researchers from the University of Eastern Finland observed that the boys who were most active during recess were most likely to out-perform their less energetic counterparts in arithmetic.

They also noted that boys who walked or rode their bikes to school were more likely to have better reading skills than those who didn't. In girls, the association between physical activity and exercise was less pronounced.

Previous studies have indicated an association between exercise and improved cognitive function, and a US study out this past week supports the thinking that exercise has a positive effect in the classroom.

The research team set out to examine the effects of exercise on concentration and sociability and conducted a trial involving about 200 randomly selected elementary school students at risk for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) ranging from kindergarten to second grade that consisted of a morning exercise intervention that lasted for 12 weeks. Importantly, not all of the students exhibited symptoms of ADHD.

"Early studies suggest that physical activity can have a positive effect on children who suffer from ADHD," said Alan Smith, chairperson of MSU's Department of Kinesiology, who conducted the research along with lead author Betsy Hoza, a psychologist from the University of Vermont.

"Although our findings indicated that all participants showed improvements, children with ADHD risk receiving exercise benefited across a broader range of outcomes than those receiving the sedentary activities," says Smith.

According to the CDC, 11 percent of young people between the ages of 4 to 17 in the US were diagnosed with ADHD as of 2011, making for an approximate total of 6.4 million.

Smith added that further research should be done to understand how much exercise is necessary with respect to age, but stressed that his research indicates the need for schools to incorporate exercise programs.

The benefits of morning exercise are well-known and a 2012 study concluded that a three-week program of morning running for healthy adolescents improved their sleep and psychological functioning.

Smith's study was published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology and the Finnish study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.