Page 11 - Sember, Vedrana, and Shawnda A. Morrison. 2018. The Mind-Body Connection. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
P. 11
reface
In modern thinking, there is quite a sharp distinction between men-
tal and physical activities. In addition to separating between mental
and physical activities, thinking of the superiority of the language,
logic, mathematics, and academics compared to physical activity is
also present. Physical activity is any activity that raises heart rate
and can be implemented in the form of sports, playing with friends,
family, walking to school, dancing or other daily physical activities
(Roberts, Tynjälä, & Komkov, 2004). From the physiological point of
view each event produced by contraction of skeletal muscles, which
requires consumption of energy (Bouchard et al., 1990) is physical
activity.
Physical activity has a positive impact on child’s development,
but only if it is frequent, of sufficient quality, intensity and dura-
tion. Several studies examined the relationship between physical
activities, motor and physical development of a child. Since phys-
ical activity is an integrative part of every child’s development (Gris-
som, 2005), which combines physical and mental processes, it can
be considered an important but not the only factor influencing chil-
dren’s academic performance.
Academic performance is one of the most critical areas in the de-
velopment of a child, especially in late childhood (Papalia, Olds, &
Feldman 2003). Despite continued dramatic increases in children’s
health risks, physical education programs are being cut more than
ever to make room for more academic time (Shannonhouse, 2012).
This negative trend continues despite the evident positive influence
9
In modern thinking, there is quite a sharp distinction between men-
tal and physical activities. In addition to separating between mental
and physical activities, thinking of the superiority of the language,
logic, mathematics, and academics compared to physical activity is
also present. Physical activity is any activity that raises heart rate
and can be implemented in the form of sports, playing with friends,
family, walking to school, dancing or other daily physical activities
(Roberts, Tynjälä, & Komkov, 2004). From the physiological point of
view each event produced by contraction of skeletal muscles, which
requires consumption of energy (Bouchard et al., 1990) is physical
activity.
Physical activity has a positive impact on child’s development,
but only if it is frequent, of sufficient quality, intensity and dura-
tion. Several studies examined the relationship between physical
activities, motor and physical development of a child. Since phys-
ical activity is an integrative part of every child’s development (Gris-
som, 2005), which combines physical and mental processes, it can
be considered an important but not the only factor influencing chil-
dren’s academic performance.
Academic performance is one of the most critical areas in the de-
velopment of a child, especially in late childhood (Papalia, Olds, &
Feldman 2003). Despite continued dramatic increases in children’s
health risks, physical education programs are being cut more than
ever to make room for more academic time (Shannonhouse, 2012).
This negative trend continues despite the evident positive influence
9
