A recent study shows that children with better physical fitness are more likely to experience better mental health and cognitive function as teenagers. Researchers found that children who excelled in the shuttle sprint performed better on cognitive tests during adolescence. Additionally, higher cardiovascular fitness in childhood was linked to lower levels of stress and depression in adolescence.

Eero Haapala, senior lecturer in sports and exercise medicine at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, stressed the importance of looking at physical fitness holistically, noting that poor fitness can lead to mental health challenges and impair the cognitive skills needed for learning.

The study, published in Sports Medicine, tracked the physical fitness of 241 Finnish children for eight years, from childhood to adolescence, and compared their fitness levels with cognitive performance and emotional well-being. The results showed that fitter children reported lower levels of stress and depression during their adolescence, which could be attributed to increased self-esteem and mental resilience.

However, researchers cautioned that excessive screen time may reduce the benefits of physical fitness. Hapala urged the society to give priority physical fitness in children and promoting physical activity, leisure time and hobbies in schools for adolescents.

A new study finds that children with good physical fitness are more likely to become teenagers with better mental health and brain function.

Researchers found that children who performed better in the shuttle sprint scored better on cognitive tests as teenagers.

Additionally, better cardio fitness in childhood led to lower stress and depression levels in teens, the results showed.

“Our results should encourage policy makers as well as parents and guardians to look at the importance of physical fitness more holistically, as poor physical fitness can increase mental health challenges and impair the cognitive skills needed for learning. “, said lead researcher and senior lecturer Eero Haapala. Sports and Exercise Medicine at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland.

In the study, researchers followed the physical fitness of 241 Finnish children for eight years, tracking them from childhood through adolescence. Tests of physical fitness were compared with children’s thinking abilities and emotional health.

Findings recently published in the Journal of Sports Medicine showed that the more fit children are, the less they will complain of stress and depression during adolescence.

This may be because children with better physical health have higher self-esteem and better mental resilience, the researchers said.

However, researchers caution that the physical fitness benefits may seem a bit blunted for children who spend more time with screens.

“Society as a whole should support physical fitness development in children and adolescents by increasing physical activity participation in school, during leisure time, and in hobbies,” Haapala concluded in a university news release.

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