title: Society of Behavioral Medicine position statement: elementary school-based physical activity supports academic achievement.
abstract: The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) urges elementary schools to provide children with ample opportunities to engage in physical activity during school hours. In addition to promoting overall child health, physical activity also supports academic achievement. In addition to improving their aerobic fitness, regular physical activity improves cognitive function, influences the brain, and improves mood in children. Better aerobic fitness and physical activity are associated with increased grade point averages and standardized test scores. Despite the documented relationship between physical activity, fitness, and academic achievement, few schools have implemented physical activity as a tool to improve academic performance. SBM recommends that elementary schools provide children with the recommended 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during school hours. Further, SBM urges schools to work with the local school districts and state education departments to mandate minimum physical activity time for elementary school physical education.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buscemi
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA.
authors.forename: Marian L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Fitzgibbon
authors.affiliation: Georgia Prevention Center, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA USA.
authors.forename: Eduardo E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Bustamante
authors.affiliation: Georgia Prevention Center, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA USA.
authors.forename: Catherine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Georgia Prevention Center, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA USA.
authors.forename: Russell R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Pate
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC USA.
authors.forename: Dawn K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Wilson
keywords: Academic achievement; Health policy; Physical activity; School-based