Fitness for Focus: Can Movement Fix Your Attention Span?
We spend days and nights doom-scrolling on Instagram or chatting our lives away, but do you know that attention spans are getting shorter day by day?
You might be thinking about how to reverse that damage. What if we tell you that the best way for a digital detox is simply to get up and move?
According to the research done by the National Wellness and Fitness Association (NWFA), physical activity isn’t just necessary for physical health. It helps you focus better as well.
Yes, that’s right. So, grab your sneakers. We’re going to walk you through the benefits of movement for a better attention span.
Exercise Enhances Attention
Systematic reviews have revealed that physical fitness impacts attention. And the results are astonishing.
- Acute aerobic exercise (like a 30-minute jog) can dramatically improve attention, especially in already active individuals.
- Chronic aerobic training over time (like a regular fitness routine) can produce even better results.
- Resistance training (like lifting weights) doesn’t show much appreciable results but is still useful in improving attention.
Movement During Adolescence Boosts Brain Growth
Teenagers can benefit the most from regular movement.
Adolescence is a time when brain development is in its most crucial stage. During these years, the prefrontal cortex (which is responsible for focus and decision-making) and the limbic system (which controls emotion) are maturing. The teenagers who deliver better results on physical fitness tests also score better in attention assessments. The areas of assessment are:
- Speed
- Endurance
- Strength
- Coordination
- Flexibility
All these components show that there lies a positive connection between physical activity and attention span, with endurance and flexibility leading to faster responses and strength and coordination leading to fewer errors.
The Brain and Body Connection and What It Means for You
So why does exercise make us more attentive? We can understand this concept by taking a look at the brain structure.
Teens with higher fitness levels have increased grey matter volume, much better white matter microstructure, and a thicker anterior cingulate cortex. All these areas of the brain are associated with attention, learning, and emotional control.
The brain and the body have a strong connection. If you maintain your body, your brain also remains healthy and fit. Moving away from digital devices and doing as simple a thing as walking can make all the improvement in your attention span. So, whether you are a parent, trainer, athlete, or just a teen trying to stay focused in class or work, movement matters for you!
Moving Forward...
Whenever you think about fitness, don’t just think about six-packs and mile times. Think about your mental fitness, too.
With attention spans shortening every day from our digital habits, movement might be one of the most effective ways we can boost focus and mental performance.
At NWFA, we’ve spent over 25 years speaking out for healthier lifestyles. We know how wellness is rooted in healthy habits, both physical and mental, and now, more than ever, we need fitness to stay sharp in a distracted world.