Sport Helps Improve Attention In Children

The popular belief that sport helps improve attention in children is widespread.  It is even believed that it helps them to be calm to later focus their attention more easily. But … is this scientifically proven?

If we take a journey through history, we will see that sport has always been present in one way or another. This is perhaps an indirect indicator of its importance in leading a healthy and complete life. Let’s see, then, what are the benefits of sport that have been confirmed thanks to numerous studies.

Benefits of sport

Any self-respecting health professional will recommend a minimum number of hours a week of exercise. The benefits of sport go beyond mere cosmetic appearance, and are as follows:

• Increases the general state of health. The circulation improves, as well as the lung capacity and the general well-being of the body.
• It acts as a protective factor for multiple problems such as being overweight, sedentary and insomnia.
• It allows you to enjoy the satisfaction of an achievement after having made an effort.
• In the case of team sports, group cohesion and camaraderie increases.
• It avoids that the available leisure time is invested in other harmful activities for the organism or with little dynamism.
• Improves self-esteem by feeling agile and functional, especially in sports such as gymnastics and martial arts.

Sport helps improve attention

A very important element in children’s day-to-day lives is learning. His life is based on a constant increase in knowledge both in his daily life and in his academic life. In fact, they are colloquially called “little sponges” precisely because their learning potential is so high.

Bearing this in mind, we must pay attention to the fact that one of the most important cognitive processes for learning is attention, which is the focus that facilitates the retention of new knowledge. Without attention it is very difficult to acquire knowledge.

Thus, a study carried out by the BBC in collaboration with the Universities of Edinburgh and Stirling affirms that physical exercise positively affects the brain of children, specifically some cognitive processes such as attention. For this reason, those children who regularly practice sports have greater facility to focus their attention on academic tasks, as well as greater self-control of their impulses.

ADHD and sports

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a syndrome generally known for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Children with this disorder have greater difficulty concentrating on their daily activities and focusing their actions than a child without it. This is a problem to relate to their peers and obtain good academic results.

A recent study from the University of Oviedo has shown that cardiovascular exercises at moderate intensities can improve cognitive processes such as attention and memory. Thus, it appears that children with ADHD who engage in sports activities typically have greater impulse control and a better ability to focus their attention without the need for medication.

These data show that sport helps improve attention and can even function as a support for this class of syndromes. Therefore, it is more than just a preventive activity.

The best physical activities for children

Sport helps improve attention, but it also makes it easier to release tensions accumulated after school days, which is something that children need taking into account the large workload they have. However, not all sports are equally beneficial for children and their attention. There are several mainly recommended sports:

• Swimming. Swimming requires perfect control of breathing and body movements. In addition, diving is often especially attractive for children.
• Martial Arts. Martial arts are highly valued for the control of the body and the discipline they require. The automation of combat techniques requires absolute attention to the precision of the movements of the limbs and the positioning of the back and hips. Likewise, children manage to strengthen their self-esteem by feeling capable of protecting themselves.

• Athletics. Through this discipline it is possible to improve coordination and healthy competitiveness. It is an excellent exercise to expend the overflowing energy that children have.

Encouraging sports in children while they are young is not difficult. The most difficult thing is to get them to understand that it is an activity that they cannot eliminate from their lives. They do not necessarily have to do the same sport all the time or those more common sports. The important thing is to help them find one they feel comfortable in and encourage them to continue.