PEARCE: Move to learn – how physical activity boosts brain, mood and school success

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC lockdowns left lasting ripples in children’s lives – and schools are still seeing the effects today. For months, gyms, playgrounds, sports fields and recreation centres were closed and organized activities were cancelled. Young people’s daily movement dropped sharply and many shifted into more sedentary routines dominated by screens and remote learning. Across Canada, fewer children were meeting physical activity recommendations during the early pandemic and only a fraction of youth reached the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous activity. These declines were most pronounced among children and adolescents, whose physical activity remained lower than pre-pandemic levels even as restrictions eased.

In British Columbia, a study of more than 26,000 children in Grades 6 to 8 found that only four per cent of youth were meeting Canada’s movement guidelines – which combine physical activity, sleep and screen-time limits – while excessive recreational screen use remained the biggest challenge. Just 14 per cent met the screen-time target of two hours or less, and only about one-quarter met the physical activity guideline on their own.

These patterns have significant implications for mental health. Sedentary behaviour and reduced activity are associated with higher rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms among youth, while better adherence to movement and sleep guidelines supports stronger emotional regulation and overall well-being.

The good news is schools play a critical role in reversing these trends. Physical activity is not just about fitness – it directly shapes brain structure, cognitive function and emotional health. Aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the brain, stimulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and strengthens the neural networks responsible for attention, memory, executive function and emotional regulation. Activities requiring coordination, focus and strategy – from team sports to dance, yoga or martial arts – reinforce these cognitive and emotional pathways, providing benefits that last far beyond the school day.