New research reports that physical activity can improve pupils' mood, confidence and schoolwork

New research shows that helping children and young people to get active during school can play a vital role in helping them catch up on work missed during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, and in supporting their mental health.

The study was conducted on more than 60,000 students and 4,000 teachers and was part of Sport England's Secondary Teacher Training (STT) programme; it surveyed their attitudes to work, physical and mental health.

Other findings from the study include:

• Active students are happier (70% vs 50%) and more confident to try sport (76% vs 38%) than inactive students.
• Young people report that being physically active improves their mood (71%), behaviour (55%) and schoolwork (49%).
• The vast majority of staff agree with this, with 93% reporting feeling that being active benefits pupil behaviour and 92% reporting they feel it has positive effects on schoolwork.
• Activity provides social opportunities and enables students to connect with one another, with 59% agreeing it helps them to make friends.
• Physical activity has the potential to reduce stress and anxiety by providing routine and structure and increasing feelings of wellbeing: 71% of students and 99% of staff feel that being active has a positive effect on their mood.
• Students who are active report higher levels of happiness and self-worth.
• 87% of staff feel that being physically active has a positive impact on the school environment (ethos, values, culture, identity).
• The majority of students surveyed (78%) enjoy being physically active.

(Content and Imagery Source: Sport England)