In the article, Effects of Acute Exercise on Sensory and Executive Processing Tasks, Kate Lambourne, Michael Audiffren and Phillip Tomporowski created an experiment to find out if exercise really does help stimulate the brain.
To do the test nineteen participants around the age of 21 were asked to perform a test before exercising, five times while exercising on an ergometer and three times during a thirty minute postexercise period. Then the same type of test was given while the participants were sitting stationary on the machine.
The conclusion of the test is, "exercise-induced arousal facilitates sensory process in stimulus detection but does not influence the updating component of executive processing (Lambourne, Audiffren, Tomporowski)" Exercise improves performance by increasing blood flow to the brain, which adds oxygen and nutrients to the brain. It almost seems as if the brain is ready to learn, and ready to focus on the teacher.
So, as budget cuts are lessening the time students spend in gym class, it is imperative to allow students to excerxise in the classroom. Students with sensory processing disorders might already be leaving the classroom for Physical and Occupational Therapy. With adding exercise to the classroom, they can stay in the classroom and participate with the rest of the students.
Another great thing about putting exercise in the classroom is that it is free! Have an exercise routine ready for the students in the morning and after lunch. Something for five to ten minutes to help students "get the blood flowing."
Lambourne, K., Audifren, M., & Tomporowski, P. (n.d.). Effects of Acute Exercise
on Sensory and Executive Processing Tasks. Medicine and Science in Sports
and Exercise, 4(7), 1396-1402. Retrieved from
http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com.libezproxy2.syr.edu/hww/results/
getResults.jhtml?_DARGS=/hww/results/results_common.jhtml.35
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