We all know that exercise can help children avoid obesity and all its terrifying health implications, but research shows that encouraging secondary school kids to get moving can also positively affect their academic performance in maths tests and reading.
One athlete who has made it her mission to spread the word is Olympic athlete and sports psychology consultant Roisin McGettigan, who runs Believe I Am, an aspirational resource designed to help women reach their full potential in life and sport.
When we caught up with Roisin, in town this week to launch the GloHealth Schools Athletic programme, she was adamant about the impact of sports participation on the Five Cs: “Studies show the positive effects of sport across competence, confidence, connections, character and caring, which are considered critical components of positive youth development.” she said. “Participation in sport can also help in developing the discipline of goal-setting, time management, teamwork, following the leadership of coaches and captains along with learning to lose—providing lifelong skills for those who take part”.
The research speaks for itself, but studies show girls are less likely to remain a part of the team as they grow older. So what turns them off?
“Unfortunately as girls move into puberty the numbers drop off significantly.” Roisin continued. “I think we need to look at how to change this trend as there’s a lot of research showing how sport involvement is hugely beneficial for girls biologically, socially and psychologically. Not all girls are driven to become Olympic athletes, but they should still be strongly encouraged to be active in order to reap the brain-development, health and character-building benefits.”
Involvement in sport helps children to develop the following transferable life-skills:
Goal setting: Having a target, identifying steps needed to get there and then working towards it
Hard work: Seeing that “hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard”
Delayed gratification: Putting in the effort today will pay off down the road.
Teamwork: How to work with others, share goals, encourage and support
Competitiveness: How aiming to win, can bring out the best in you
Resilience: Being able to take knocks, failures, disappointments, but keep on going.
Physiologically exercise is like Miracle-Gro for the brain: it lowers depression and anxiety, buffers stress and improves emotional regulation. Exercise has been shown to decrease ADD (attention deficit disorders), improve focus and motivation and increase rates of learning. It can also help kids learn how to deal with failure: “Society in general focuses on winning as the definition of success.” says Róisín:
“We all need to redefine what success is and celebrate effort above all else. We don’t get to control the outcome in competitions, but we always can control the effort we give. And nobody can give more than their best effort. Failing is a part of sport and learning how to deal with it is essential. Parents need to be mindful of this and not be obsessed with winning.”
Speaking of parents, how late is too late for them? “It’s never too late for parents.” says Róisín. “Everyone can reap the benefits of exercise- as it delays the onset of aging by creating new brain cells and boost muscle growth. Exercise also helps buffer stress and emotional regulation.
Belonging to a group is great for motivating us to get out the door. I love the GloHealth Fit4Life groups as they organise low-key races which can boost motivation and track progress from training, which is the best feeling of all.”
The GloHealth Irish Schools’ Athletics sponsorship includes the School Mile Challenge which promotes running as a fun fitness activity in secondary schools across the country, with over 12,000 students participating during this term alone. It complements GloHealth’s current #RunnersAreAmazing campaign, which focuses on people taking control of their health.
