The Correlation Between Exercise and Academic Success

It’s no secret to any university student that exercising is beneficial to their health. Yet, with exams approaching, essays, and final papers due, many students do not feel they can carve out time in their busy schedules for a workout.

This is completely understandable. However, what if I told you that even doing a quick 20-minute workout could enhance academic performance long-term?

As per a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine, executive functioning and brain health are basic cognitive functions that facilitate learning. Evidently, these functions are related to academic success. The study “shows that regular exercise enhances them” (Hillman, 65).

Furthermore, especially in university students that have ADHD, exercise allows for better focus on academics, therefore, helping improve performance in the long term. In addition, if a 20-minute morning workout allows for better focus throughout the day, you should make the effort to put it into your schedule.  You may focus better on your lectures and improve your overall sleep quality.

Regular exercise can also lead to a better quality of sleep, which is directly related to academic performance (Tomporowski, 297).

There are also so many options for working out on campus if this is a barrier for you. The gym in the Keating Centre is accessible to all STFX students. There are also many workout classes available. You could go for a run on the track, go to lane swim when the pool opens back up, or even do a quick workout at home. There are lots of options on YouTube for these workout classes.

Even just listening to music and going for a walk around campus is a great way to work out, especially with the weather warming up and the longer days.

With all the other obvious benefits to exercise, one that is less talked about is that exercise can improve our grades. For your transcript, as well as your physical and mental health, try to get a workout in, occasionally.

Hillman CH, Erickson KI, Kramer AF. Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008 Jan;9(1):58-65. doi: 10.1038/nrn2298. PMID: 18094706.

Tomporowski PD. Effects of acute bouts of exercise on cognition. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2003 Mar;112(3):297-324. doi: 10.1016/s0001-6918(02)00134-8. PMID: 12595152.