Exercise Boosts Language Abilities In School Children, Researchers Say

Brain News: University of Delaware researchers suggest that exercises like swimming can boost kids’ vocabulary growth.

School children aged 6-12 years were taught new words before they participated in swimming, CrossFit exercises or completing a coloring sheet. 13% of the participants engaged in swimming were accurate in follow up vocabulary tests. While swimming made a difference, CrossFit did not.

According to Maddy Pruitt, the lead researcher of the study, swimming requires more physical energy and less mental energy, while CrossFit is an activity that kids could complete only with much thought or instruction. She also explained that exercise increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor that plays an important role in neuronal survival and growth. Motor movement helps in encoding new words.

The findings published in the Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, applies to clinicians, caregivers and educators who can put it into practice to boost the outcomes.

To Know More You May Refer To:

Pruitt, M., & Morini, G. (2021). Examining the role of physical activity on word learning in school-aged children. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 64(5), 1712-1725. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_jslhr-20-00359