Physical Activity and its Impact on Cognitive Development

Abstract

The educational system largely is associated with academic assessments and sitting at a desk or on a computer for a majority of the school day. Another part of the education system that is often overlooked is caring for the child health and well-being. Education is more than tests and homework and can be facilitated by other methods that don’t encourage a sedentary lifestyle. The purpose of this synthesis project is to determine what impact physical activity can have on cognitive development, cognitive function and overall brain health. Results have shown that even a single bout of exercise can have a positive impact on cognitive function. The research analyzed for this synthesis project has revealed a great deal of evidence that suggests that cognitive development is positively impacted by physical activity.