February 6, 2012
Today, Learn Out Loud is offering a free podcast of a lecture given by John Ratey on exercise and brain health. A clinical psychiatrist from the Harvard Medical School, Ratey has done a great deal of research on the impact of exercise on neurotransmitters and overall health. Ratey argues that our genes are coded to move; that is how we survived. Movement is not only crucial to our survival, it will also help us to thrive. (For another fun video on the importance of exercise and health, tune in to this YouTube video: http://youtu.be/aUaInS6HIGo)
Dr. Ratey has written several books about attention deficit disorder (Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction) and most recently the book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.
The basis of his lecture is the importance of moving and how it correlates to brain development, usage, creativity, and improved health. He shows data that demonstrates a discrepancy in IQ between overweight children and active children. Research backs him up; a school in Canada found that the children who scored highest on tests were also the ones who performed the best athletically. In Spark, Ratey explores one school in Illinois that is excelling both in the gymnasium and the classroom. (One would argue after reading the book that the students are excelling in the classroom because of time well-spent in the gymnasium.)
The high school in Illinois implemented a revolutionary physical education model; zero hour P.E. Kids come in before school to do their workouts. The high school boasts a 3% rate of obesity; compared to the national average of 30%. Interestingly enough, the students at this high school are also ranking first in the world on international testing.
I think it is incredible that this physical education teacher has had such an impact on the lives of so many students. However, isn’t it incredible that we don’t value health and fitness enough to make it a bigger, stronger part of the curriculum? Kids aren’t meant to sit in chairs all day. In fact, it is counterintuitive. After reading this book, you too will believe that it is also counterproductive. Embracing movement, activity, and teaching children about the importance of good health/nutrition is peripheral or not viewed as academic. Now we have a real problem on our hands; one that will translate in a great deal of health care costs in years to come.
Neuroscience is getting more attention in the health and fitness field. In his lecture, Dr. Ratey mentions another book, Racing the Antelope. Stay tuned for a future blog post/book review on that!
In the meantime, for a wonderful, free lecture today, check out www.learnoutloud.com. Or see Dr. Ratey’s website at www.johnratey.com.
