According to a report  by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released in April, 2010, there is substantial evidence that physical activity can help improve academic achievement .

The study, which compiled and analyzed all studies conducted on the topic, drew the following conclusions:

      Physical activity can help improve academic achievement  (including grades and  
      standardized test scores).

      Physical activity can have an ipact on cognative skills and attitude and academic
      behavior, all of which are inportnat components of improved academic
      performance These include enhanced concentration and attention as well as
      improved classroom  behavior.

These studies also show that recess and in-class activities in 5-20 minute increments can have positive outcomes.

According to the study, the results of this review support several strategies that schools can use to help students meet national physical activity recommendations without detracting from academic performance:

School-based physical education
To maximize the potential benefits of student participation in physical education class, schools and physical education teachers can consider increasing the amount of time students spend in physical education or adding components to increase the quality of physical education class. Articles in the review examined increased physical education time (achieved by increasing the number of days physical education was provided each week or lengthening class time) and/or improved quality of physical education (achieved through strategies such as using trained instructors and increasing the amount of active time during physical education class).

Recess
School boards, superintendents, principals, and teachers can feel confident that providing recess to students on a regular basis may benefit academic behaviors,while also facilitating social development11 and contributing to overall physical activity12 and its associated health benefits. There was no evidence that time spent in recess had a negative association with cognitive skills, attitudes, or academic behavior.

Classroom-based physical activity
Classroom teachers can incorporate movement activities and physical activity breaks into the classroom setting that may improve student performance and the classroom environment. Most interventions reviewed here used short breaks (5–20 minutes) that required little or no teacher preparation, special equipment or resources.

Extracurricular physical activities
The evidence suggests that superintendents, principals, and athletic directors can develop or continue school-based sports programs without concern that these activities have a detrimental impact on students’ academic performance. School administrators and teachers also can encourage after-school organizations, clubs, student groups, and parent groups to incorporate physical activities into their programs and events.

To read the complete study, click here.