By Wendy Spencer, PE Teacher & Cross Country Running/Skiing Coach

PNA has started an after school running club and team! There are so many reasons why I am excited about this new opportunity for PNA students. Running is just about the simplest form of exercise there is, and it’s perfect for kids’ seemingly endless energy and need for speed. Our program is specifically designed to adapt to each student’s unique needs, so as to engage as many kids as possible in physical activity.

The running club/team gives children the opportunity to be physically active and to learn healthy habits that will last beyond their time in the program. A running club sets kids up to be healthier, more confident, and more competitive in athletic programs as they go through middle school, high school, and even into college! It provides kids with the skills and confidence to work as a team, do warm up exercises, cool down stretches, and to try different types of running and running games.

Getting kids active and educated early gets them excited about running and physical activity so we have included a younger session on Wednesdays. Research suggests that moving before, during, and after school positively impacts learning, attention, and overall physical activity levels. There is a link between exercise and cognition.

Here are some of the benefits your brain gets from regular exercise:

– Improves brain function and memory.
– Protects thinking skills.
– Reduces stress, depression, and anxiety.
– Promotes better sleep.
– Exercise acts directly on the body and triggers physiological responses such as changes in insulin levels, inflammation, and the     release of endorphins.
– It also promotes the production of growth factors. These chemicals affect the growth of new brain cells and therefore, actively       impact the health of the brain overall.
– Enhancing Cognitive Health.

The indirect effect of exercise comes from its impact on mood, sleep, stress, and anxiety. Improved sleep, mood, reduced stress, and anxiety can lead to better cognitive function and concentration on daily tasks.

Studies show that children who participated in a running club decreased their screen time and felt more confident in physical and activity skills. My goal is to create an environment where running is fun. Instead of “working out,” think of it as “exercise play.” With their new love of exercise and new found confidence, your children will be more likely to join a sport when they transition into middle school and into high school and hopefully will have a life long healthy passion for exercising outdoors improving both their physical and mental health.