Zero Hour P.E.<\/em> where they scheduled time to work out before class using treadmills and other exercise equipment where you are only competing against yourself to improve. This program not only turned their 19,000 students into the fittest in the nation but also, in some categories, the smartest in the world.<\/p>\nAcademically, Naperville High School is currently in the top 10 in the state–despite the fact that they spend less money per pupil than other high schools in their district.<\/p>\n
The students at Naperville took the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) given around the world. The United States has done notoriously\u00a0poorly on this test. Whereas in Asian countries nearly half of the students score in the top tier, only 7 percent of U.S. students hit that mark.<\/p>\n
In Naperville, 97 percent of the 8th graders took the test. On the science section, they finished just ahead of Singapore, number one in the world. And on the math section, they were number six in the world. All this because of their innovative exercise program.<\/p>\n
A fascinating study, but let\u2019s take this one step further. In my almost 18 years of being a personal trainer, I have trained the span of learning men: young, old and even some Roshei Yeshiva<\/em>\u00a0(heads of Talmudic academies) as well. The vast majority of them experienced relief from physiological problems, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and low back pain. That was expected.<\/p>\nBut even before any of the physical benefits became evident, about two weeks into their programs I started getting feedback like, \u201cI can\u2019t believe how much better I can concentrate in the Beit Medrash<\/em> (study hall)!\u201d or \u201cI am able to stay awake and alert when learning with my late-night chavruta\u00a0<\/em>(study partner)!\u201d and \u201cI can even concentrate when I come home after a long day of learning and I still need to learn with my children!\u201d<\/p>\nThere is almost no brain function that exercise doesn\u2019t affect in a positive way. Whether we are talking about mood or learning, exercise is a big part of the equation. Even in people with ADD and ADHD, exercise helps them concentrate better and learn better–particularly exercise that involves structured movement like martial arts.<\/p>\n
Dr. Ratey states:<\/p>\n
Exercise increases the concentration of both dopamine and norepinephrine, as well as other brain chemicals. I have always said that a dose of exercise is like taking a bit of Ritalin or Adderall. It’s similar to taking a stimulant. Second, over time, exercise helps build up the machinery to increase the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain as well as their postsynaptic receptors. Chronic exercise eventually causes growth of the system. The more fit that you are, the better the system works.<\/em><\/p>\nThe bottom line is that there is an increased ability to absorb knowledge and to learn things, something especially near and dear to the Torah world.<\/p>\n
If you are having difficulties learning or concentrating, there are many possible causes: lack of sleep, proper diet and hydration to name a few. But have you tried a comprehensive exercise program? Aerobic exercise, like brisk walking, running, biking or swimming might just do the trick. Add a couple of days a week of muscle-building exercises to round out your program. (Try starting with pushups and\u00a0sit-ups.)<\/p>\n
Doing this in the middle of the day provides an extra benefit: a break. Taking some time off will enable you to learn better throughout the day. Work your way up slowly and carefully with increasing intensity for maximum benefit.<\/p>\n
Ben Zoma says, \u201cWho is wise? One who learns from everyone\u201d (Pirkei Avot<\/em>\u00a0[Ethics of our Fathers], Chapter 4, Mishna 1).\u00a0So let\u2019s learn something from Naperville. Embarking on a serious exercise program not only improves your health and well-being, but your comprehension and ability to learn as well. It certainly is a worthwhile investment for both your body and your neshama<\/em>, your soul.<\/p>\n
\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/ou-images\/content\/alans_fitness.JPG\")
<\/p>\n
Alan Freishtat<\/strong> is an A.C.E. CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER and a BEHAVIORAL CHANGE and WELLNESS COACH with over 19 years of professional experience. Alan is the creator and director of the \u201c10 Weeks to Health\u201d program for weight loss. He is available for private coaching sessions, consultations, assessments and personalized workout programs both in his office and by telephone and skype. Alan also lectures and gives seminars and workshops. He can be reached at\u00a002-651-8502<\/a> or 050-555-7175<\/a>, or by email at\u00a0alan@alanfitness.com<\/a> Check out the his web site \u2013www.alanfitness.com<\/a> US Line: 516-568-5027<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A fascinating study provides insight into how we can maximize on our bodies and minds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":469,"featured_media":55377,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28513","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"yoast_head":"\n
A Small Change Made These 19,000 Students the Fittest & Smartest in US<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A fascinating educational experiment conducted in Naperville, IL called "Zero Hour P.E." provides insight into how we can maximize on our bodies and minds.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/life\/health\/one-small-change-turned-these-19000-students-into-fittest-smartest-us-alan-freishtat\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Small Change Made These 19,000 Students the Fittest & Smartest in US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A fascinating educational experiment conducted in Naperville, IL called "Zero Hour P.E." provides insight into how we can maximize on our bodies and minds.\" \/>\n<meta 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![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ou.org\/life\/files\/iStock_000019882371XSmall.jpg\" "\\"Professional")
<\/a>The gym teachers at Naperville conducted an educational experiment called Zero Hour P.E.<\/em> where they scheduled time to work out before class using treadmills and other exercise equipment where you are only competing against yourself to improve. This program not only turned their 19,000 students into the fittest in the nation but also, in some categories, the smartest in the world.<\/p>\n