The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 80% of the world’s adolescent population does not meet the recommended levels of physical activity. With schoolchildren spending increasingly large portions of their time on screens, sedentary activity levels are on the rise. In such scenarios, regular physical exercise offers benefits beyond fitness, playing a key role in mental health, academic performance, and fostering sustainable lifelong healthy practices.
Educational institutions are recognizing the importance of physical activity for learning outcomes. Research shows that engaging in sports and other active pursuits like dancing and outdoor workouts enhances mental functions, concentration, and social skills. Students who embrace physical activity gain dual benefits, helping to prevent obesity while also creating healthy habits for life.Â
What is Physical Activity?Â
Physical activity involves moving the body and using energy, whether through sports, workouts, yoga, aerobics, dance, or simple activities like walking or cycling. For students, staying active is essential, as it plays a key role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Physical exercise not only improves fitness but also supports overall well-being, making it a crucial part of a student’s daily routine.
Importance of Physical Activity in Student Life
- Physical Health: Regular physical activity helps students maintain a healthy weight, strengthens their bones and muscles, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues.
- Mental Well-being: Physical activity is linked to improved mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. It also enhances mood and overall emotional well-being through the release of endorphins.
- Academic Performance: Physical activity boosts cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, which can lead to better academic performance.
- Social Skills: Participating in team sports and group exercises fosters social interaction, teamwork, and communication skills. It helps students build friendships and develop a sense of belonging.
- Discipline and Time Management: Regular physical activity teaches students the importance of discipline, commitment, and time management. Balancing physical activities with academic responsibilities helps develop these essential life skills.
- Stress Relief: Physical activity provides an effective outlet for stress and tension, helping students cope with academic pressures and personal challenges.
- Healthy Habits: Encouraging physical activity from a young age promotes lifelong healthy habits. Active students are more likely to continue being active into adulthood, contributing to long-term health and wellness.
How Does Physical Activity Benefit Academic Performance?
Young Bangalore native Riya Davda began an important personal transformation through her pursuit of yoga. Before her 200-hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, Riya viewed physical movement only through the lens of body-transforming activities to reach “perfect” physical forms. During the practice, she uncovered that yoga included both physical health benefits and emotional peace alongside personal acceptance. After completing her training, she realized she had conquered her fears, which led to better social interaction with others while developing healthy routines. Many such case studies have shown that physical activity benefits academic performance, further reinforcing the importance of movement in holistic growth. Riya’s life story shows that when a person pursues physical activity they will develop complete personal growth. Â
Physical exercise serves two purposes beyond fitness objectives as it enhances educational achievement. Several components of regular movement enhance learning ability and memory function while increasing student achievement.
1. Enhances Cognitive Function
Brain function improves substantially through physical activity because this practice enhances memory ability together with attention and problem-solving competencies. Academic performance improves heavily because exercise maintains regular blood circulation which enables sharper mental clarity alongside better focus and concentration.
2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Participation in physical exercise releases endorphins which function as mood elevators for the body while simultaneously lowering stress and anxiety. Through relaxation students can better focus on their studies and experience decreased pressure from academic workload responsibilities.
3. Improves Energy Levels
Physical activity boosts metabolic health which eliminates tiredness and generates sustained awareness throughout the day. Students who actively exercise face fewer difficulties remaining alert in class as a result of which they process classroom information successfully.
4. Encourages Discipline and Time Management
Through balancing educational commitments with athletic or sports activities, students learn self-discipline and time control abilities. The organizational and time management abilities students develop hold instructional value regarding their academic performance by enabling them to maintain organization and meet academic deadlines.
Also Read: How much physical activity do children need?
How to Promote Physical Activities in Schools?Â
Here are 11 ways to inspire students to lead an active life and embrace the joys of movement:
1. Incorporate Movement into the Daily Routine
Physical activity doesn’t have to be restricted to physical education (PE) classes. Teachers can integrate short, engaging activities into regular classes, such as stretch breaks, movement games, or even standing discussions. These small breaks help reduce fatigue, re-energize students and improve focus during lessons.
2. Organize Sports Tournaments and Events
Hosting sports events and competitions is a great way to foster excitement and participation. Inter-class matches, friendly competitions, or even sports carnivals encourage students to try new activities and develop a sense of teamwork. For students who might not be competitive, organising non-competitive games or fun activities like sack races or relay games ensures everyone feels included.
3. Offer a Variety of Physical Activities
Not all students are interested in traditional sports, so offering a variety of options allows them to choose what they enjoy. Examples of interest groups include dancing, yoga classes, martial arts, hiking, and other fun clubs. This approach makes it easier to keep all students engaged and active, ensuring they have a fair chance of participation, regardless of their skill levels or interest in specific games. Encouraging diverse physical activities for students helps promote overall fitness and inclusivity.
4. Create After-School Activity Programs
After-school programs provide students with structured engagement and opportunities to explore their physical interests. Whether it’s football, basketball, swimming, or dance clubs, these activities encourage social interaction, help students develop new skills, and promote fitness beyond school hours.
5. Make Physical Activity Fun and Rewarding
Fun is the key element of gamification, making physical activity more engaging for students. Setting goals like step counts, fitness milestones, and challenges keeps them motivated. Offering incentives such as gifts, certificates, badges, or public recognition during school assemblies further encourages participation, making fitness both rewarding and enjoyable.
6. Integrate Physical Activities into Academic Lessons
Integrating learning with movement can be highly effective, especially for younger students. Teachers often design activities where children participate in physical activities by moving to designated spots to answer questions or performing exercises that reinforce learning. This interactive approach keeps students engaged while enhancing their understanding of the lesson.
7. Involve Families in Physical Activities
Hosting events that involve parents and families helps extend a culture of fitness beyond the school. Activities like family sports days, fun runs, or community fitness challenges encourage students and their families to stay active together, making physical well-being a shared priority.
8. Leverage Technology to Promote Fitness
Technology can make fitness more engaging for tech-savvy students. Fitness apps, activity trackers, and virtual challenges help them set goals and track progress. Schools can add fun by creating leaderboards for friendly competition or using interactive video workouts in PE classes.Â
9. Provide Opportunities for Leadership in Physical Activities
Giving students the opportunity to organize and lead activities helps them feel more involved and responsible. Assigning sports captains, encouraging student-led clubs, or allowing them to plan physical activity events not only empowers them but also builds leadership skills.
10. Focus on Inclusivity
Physical learning should be designed to include all students, considering their abilities and needs. Adjusting sports activities for students with disabilities or those less interested in physical exercise can create a more inclusive environment. Offering modified versions of games or less intense exercises ensures that everyone can participate, stay active, and enjoy the experience.
Read More: How to get kids interested in sports?
11. Foster a Positive Culture Around Physical Activity
To encourage an active lifestyle, schools must create an environment where children understand the importance of exercise. This can be achieved by emphasizing the value of movement during assemblies, recognizing students who participate in sports or physical activities, and educating them on the health risks of inactivity. When students begin to see movement and sports as enjoyable and essential parts of life, staying active becomes a natural habit rather than an obligation.
How to Promote Sports Careers in Schools?Â
School sports serve as the foundation for student physical conditioning and team building while simultaneously advancing their overall educational growth. The following framework represents decisive points for boosting sports careers among students through school sports programs.
1. Develop a Comprehensive Sports Program
A well-planned sports program should allow students to choose games based on their interests and abilities. Providing a range of sports options ensures that both team players and individual athletes have opportunities to participate, whether for competition or recreation.
Example: Telangana State Sports School in Hyderabad focuses on sports education and training. It emphasizes five major sports including kabaddi, archery, gymnastics, judo, and volleyball along with football and water sports. With structured training, the school has helped students achieve success at national and international levels.
2. Integrate Sports into the School Curriculum
Develop an educational program that blends sports-focused learning with dedicated physical education. Ensuring that every student engages in physical activities throughout the school day helps build sportsmanship and fosters a more active learning environment.
Example: Odisha’s school education system introduced an Olympism-themed curriculum, leading to improved student attendance and increased participation in physical activities, especially among girls. At Vidyanagari Government Primary School, student participation rose by 12% within the first three months of the program.
3. Encourage Competitions and Tournaments Among Schools
Schools must organize friendly sports competitions with other schools within their vicinity to encourage student participation and a competitive spirit. Such competitions are another way of giving students the platform to demonstrate sporting talent while ensuring teamwork and sportsmanship
Example: Organized competitions and tournaments among schools help enhance the level of fitness as well as encourage overall well-being. The Indian government initiated the Khelo India School Games program that gathers students from different schools in the country to participate in sports competitively. The program has the added benefit of enhancing students’ fitness while giving them a chance to play competitive sports on a national platform.
4. Encourage Participation in Extracurricular Sport Organisations
Schools must encourage special sports clubs where students engage in sports after school hours. The sports clubs must address several sports activities by giving students other opportunities for practice in further improving their sports skills.
Example: Encouragement of sports clubs beyond school hours not only enhances students’ physical fitness but results in better academic scores. The Ministry of Education in India reports that students who engage in extracurricular activities perform 15% better in exams than those who do not participate.
5. Promote Sports Through School Assemblies and Events
The assembly and special school events are the perfect platform for encouraging sports as well as highlighting the excellence of student achievement. Student-athletes rewarded for achievements at special school events have a better impact on encouraging more students to engage in school sports.
Example: Somerville School, Noida, conducted Yoga-centered morning devotions with an emphasis on yoga to highlight its applicability in daily life. The school also conducted health workshops and exercise classes to familiarize the students with the idea of overall well-being.
Also Read: Top 10 ways to build confidence in your students
Conclusion
Maintaining physical activity is crucial, as excessive academic tasks can lead to a loss of interest. Schools must integrate sports to support students’ physical and mental well-being. By fostering a strong sports culture and innovative learning methods, students stay engaged while staying active.
Varthana supports private school leaders in developing infrastructure that promotes physical activity in schools, from upgrading playgrounds and sports activities to creating well-equipped spaces for holistic learning. With better facilities, schools can ensure students grow academically while staying physically active. If you’re looking to enhance your school’s infrastructure to support both learning and sports activities, contact us today!
Read More: How to get kids interested in sports?
FAQs
1. How to encourage students to participate in physical activity?
Encouraging students to participate in physical activity creates a fun and inclusive environment. Offering a variety of activities, from traditional sports to dance and yoga, caters to diverse interests. Providing positive reinforcement and integrating physical activities into daily routines can motivate students to stay active.
2. What are some strategies for physical activity?
Practical strategies for promoting physical activity include incorporating short movement breaks during classes, organizing regular sports events, and implementing active transportation initiatives like walking or biking to school. Providing access to safe playgrounds and sports equipment can also encourage students to engage in physical activities regularly.
3. Why is physical activity important for students?
Physical activity is crucial for students as it enhances physical health, including cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. It also supports mental well-being by reducing stress and anxiety and improving mood. Furthermore, regular physical activity boosts cognitive functions, leading to better academic performance and focus.
4. How do you encourage active participation in children?
To encourage active participation in children, it is essential to make activities enjoyable and age-appropriate. Creating a supportive and non-competitive atmosphere helps build confidence and enthusiasm. Additionally, involving family and community in physical activities can reinforce the importance and enjoyment of staying active.
5. What are the four ways of physical activity?
The four main ways of physical activity include aerobic exercises like running and swimming, which improve cardiovascular health. Strength training exercises, such as weight lifting, build muscle strength. Flexibility exercises like stretching and yoga enhance range of motion, and balance exercises, such as tai chi, improve stability and prevent falls.
6. How can students be encouraged to exercise more?
Students can be encouraged to exercise more by integrating fun and engaging physical activities into their daily routines, offering a variety of sports and fitness options to suit different interests, and creating a supportive environment where physical activity is celebrated and rewarded. Schools can organize fitness challenges, active breaks during classes, and after-school sports clubs to motivate students. Involving parents and communities in promoting active lifestyles also helps reinforce the importance of regular exercise.
7. What are the 5 importance of physical activity?
Physical activity is crucial for overall health, as it strengthens the heart, muscles, and bones and helps manage weight. It reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity and improves mental health by alleviating stress and anxiety. Moreover, physical activity enhances cognitive function, promotes better sleep, and fosters social connections through team sports and group activities.
8. What are 7 physical activities?
Seven everyday physical activities include walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing sports like soccer or basketball, doing yoga, and participating in dance or aerobics. These activities offer a range of benefits, from improving cardiovascular health to enhancing flexibility and strength.
Social