- Physical activity and sport
The social side of modern university life for a student in 2018 can be overlooked with the increasing data driven nature of teaching and learning in today’s HE landscape. The impact of the social side on a student’s wellbeing and academic performance has been discussed widely (Pate, O’Neill & McIver, 2011; Trudeau & Shephard, 2008; Thomas, 2012). Physical activity has been suggested to increased focus and cognitive development (Erwin, Fedewa & Ahn, 2013, Lorenz, Stylianou, Moore, & Kulinna, 2017; Trudeau, & Shephard, 2008). Physical activity (PA) encompasses anything that requires the body to move which requires energy expenditure and raises the person’s heart rate. Sport is included within PA narratives but in reality focuses on an organised approach with a competitive element which in itself can aid in the perception of wellness and self-productivity.
- Physical activity and sport for student wellness
Playing sport and participating in PA can help a student’s wellbeing. In addition to the positive endorphins released (hormones!) that exercise produces, it increases focus, the amount of energy available to function and aids confidence to learn as well as improving general wellbeing (Lorenz, Stylianou, Moore, & Kulinna, 2017; Trudeau, & Shephard, 2008). Another benefit of PA and sport is through improved physical health, with Caird et al., 2014, stating that being sedentary may promote excess weight which can impede a student’s academic performance. Therefore, activity which helps to reduce the chance of being overweight should provide a positive impact on their academic performance. The effect of exercise on the wellbeing of the students cannot be underestimated, with exercise being used as a prescription to help reduce stress and anxiety, (Malcom, et al, 2013); Dogra, et al, 2017).
- Physical activity and sport for student performance
Thomas (2012) noted the social sphere of HE, if developed, can help the student feel they belong and relax in their new surroundings at University. The sense of belonging helps students’ performance, in the academic context, as they can focus on their studies rather than worry about the environment. PA unless in an organised manner often cannot easily achieve this element, however sport can, which is gained by being on a sports team or belonging to a group. If students play sport at university, they often gain an increased sense of belonging at the university and consider their teammates as family and a potential support network. This support network can provide assistance to accentuate the good times as well as extenuate and ameliorate in times of need. Increasing these elements in a modern student does help with their student’s academic or theoretical performance. Erwin, Fedewa & Ahn, (2013) noted that academic performance did improve with the intervention of PA-based activities in mathematical-based tasks. It is important to note the long-term habits that can be formed at university can have life-long effects on students’ health. Lizandra et al., 2016 noted that students that exhibited sedentary behaviour throughout their studies continued these habits beyond graduation. Conversely students that were involved in sport and regular PA continued this lifestyle after graduation and benefited from the resultant health benefits.
- Conclusions
The engagement with PA and sport in Higher education does have its obvious health and academic benefits but trying to motivate students to take these up can be difficult with some many competing demands. However, the amount of PA doesn’t have to be a large amount to increase focus at a micro level, for example asking your class to stand up and walk about for a couple of minutes in the middle of a long teaching session can increase the quality of the next section or task as the students are more focused and awake. A little change can then lead to the student seeking to take the next step to a more active lifestyle which could hopefully lead to an enhanced health both physically and academically.
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