Research
“Regular physical activity not only changes your body, it changes the neurochemicals in your brain”
Casaletto, K. et al. (2022). Late-life physical activity relates to brain tissue synaptic integrity markers in older adults. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, doi: 10.1002/alz.12530. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34994517/
“Being physically active improves your attention span, memory and multitasking”
Haverkamp, B.F., Wiersma, R., Vertessen, K., van Ewijk, H., Oosterlaan, J., Hartman, E. (2020). Effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive outcomes and academic performance in adolescents and young adults: A meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38(23), 2637-2660. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1794763. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32783695/
“Exercise releases neurochemicals that improves mood, anxiety and well-being”
Sharifi, M., et al. (2018). The effect of an exhaustive aerobic, anaerobic, and resistance exercise on serotonin, beta-endorphin and BDNF in students. Phys Edu Stud, 22(5), 272-277.doi: 10.15561/20755279.2018.0507.
https://sportedu.org.ua/index.php/PES/article/view/681
“More physical activity is related to less distress, depression and increased positive mood”
Ahn S, Fedewa A. (2011). A meta-analysis of the relationship between children's physical activity and mental health. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 36(4):385-397. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsq107
“Regular exercise improves self-esteem and creates meaningful experiences of mastery”
Hrafnkelsdottir, S. et al. (2018). Less screen time and more frequent vigorous physical activity is associated with lower risk of reporting negative mental health symptoms among Icelandic adolescents. PLoS One, 13(4):e0196286. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196286.
“Performing physical activity with music increases mental effort, positive mood and cognition”
Vazou, S., et al. (2020) Rhythmic physical activity intervention: Exploring feasibility and effectiveness in improving motor and executive function skills in children. Frontiers in Psychology, 11:556249. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.556249. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33071879/
“Better movements enhance mental skills that help us control our behavior”
Hudson, K.N., Ballou, H.M., & Willoughby, M.T. (2020). Short report: Improving motor competence skills in early childhood has corollary benefits for executive function and numeracy skills. Developmental Science, 24, e13071. doi: 10.1111/desc.13071. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33275832/
“Frequent vigorous physical activity lowers the risk of poor mental health”
Hrafnkelsdottir, S. et al. (2018). Less screen time and more frequent vigorous physical activity is associated with lower risk of reporting negative mental health symptoms among Icelandic adolescents. PLoS One, 13(4):e0196286. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196286.
“Regular bouts of exercise promote brain health and plasticity to better control thoughts, feelings and behavior”
Lehmann, N., Villringer, A., & Taubert, M. (2020). Intrinsic connectivity changes mediate the beneficial effect of cardiovascular exercise on sustained visual attention. Cerebral Cortex Communications, 1(1):tgaa075. doi: 10.1093/texcom/tgaa075. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34296135/
“Physical activity reduces chemicals in the brain that increase stress and anxiety while releasing chemicals that make you feel happy”
Sharifi, M., et al. (2018). The effect of an exhaustive aerobic, anaerobic, and resistance exercise on serotonin, beta-endorphin and BDNF in students. Phys Edu Stud, 22(5), 272-277.doi: 10.15561/20755279.2018.0507.
https://sportedu.org.ua/index.php/PES/article/view/681
“Physical activity improves our cognitive skills and helps us cope in stressful situations”
Wunsch, K., Meier, M., Ueberholz, L., Strahler, J., Kasten, N. (2019). Acute psychosocial stress and working memory performance: the potential of physical activity to modulate cognitive functions in children. BMC Pediatrics, 19(1):271.
doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1637-x.
“Structured physical exercise can reduce feelings of sadness and loss of interest in daily activities”
Philopott, A. et al. (2022). Impact of physical exercise on depression and anxiety in adolescent inpatients: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 301:145-153. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.011.
“Moderate to high levels of physical activity are related to lower feelings of anxiety and depression”
McDowell, C.P., MacDonncha, C. Herring, M.P. (2017). Brief report: Associations of physical activity with anxiety and depression symptoms and status among adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 55:1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.12.004.
“Increased physical fitness can equip us with skills to improve our long-term mental health”
“Early and ongoing physical activity can improve psychosocial outcomes like our self-concept, goal orientation and self-esteem”
Kohl, H.W. et al. (2013). Physical activity and physical education: Relationship to growth, development, and health. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US). ISBN: 0-978-0-309-28313-7.
“Higher levels of physical activity can reduce our body’s response to psychosocial stress”
Martekainen, S. et al. (2013). Higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis reactivity to psychosocial stress in children. Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism, 98(4):E619-27. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-3745
“Better motor skills in childhood are strongly related to reduced risk of anxiety in adolescence”
Sigurdsson E, van Os J, Fombonne E. Are impaired childhood motor skills a risk factor for adolescent anxiety? Results from the 1958 U.K. Birth Cohort and the National Child Development Study. AJP 2002;159(6):1044–6.
“Research indicates that children’s motor and mental health development share a close relationship”
Hill LJB, Mushtaq F, O’Neill L, Flatters I, Williams JHG, Mon-Williams M. The relationship between manual coordination and mental health. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2016;25(3):283–95.
“Interventions targeted at psychomotor development can improve the emotional well-being of children”
Wong RSM, et al. Development and pilot evaluation of a mobile app on parent-child exercises to improve physical activity and psychosocial outcomes of Hong Kong Chinese children. BMC Public Health 2020;20(1):1544. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-09655-9.
“Childhood motor skills is a strong predictor of later social-emotional problems including anxiety and depression”
Piek JP, Barrett NC, Smith LM, Rigoli D, Gasson N. Do motor skills in infancy and early childhood predict anxious and depressive symptomatology at school age? Hum Mov Sci
2010;29(5):777–86
