The more you burn the better you learn

At the Your Move Schools 2017 End of Year Forum, Dr Nichola Ridgers, Senior Research Fellow at Deakin University’s Institute of Physical Activity & Nutrition, provided some great information.

Here are three fabulous facts to take away:

1. Children who travel actively to school are more likely to be active for the rest of the day
[Cooper et al (2003) AJPM].

2. Dr Ridgers shared a USA community health campaign slogan worth adopting - “the more they burn the better they learn”.

Kids who perform better in school are more likely to be physically active on a regular basis. Adding physical activity to the school day can not only keep kids healthy, but also increase attention, behaviour and positive attitudes leading to improved academic performance. Check out the resources – perfect for your next newsletter.

3. Being active for the school commute burns more energy than a two hour physical education class:

Dr Ridgers is leading a program of research that focuses on understanding physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns, and evaluating interventions designed to increase activity levels in children and adolescents. She is a member of the Active Healthy Kids Australia Research Working Group and thoroughly enjoys her bicycle commute to work.

Dr Nicky Ridgers' presentation download