A GROUP of Horncastle students are taking time out from study to take part in regular exercise sessions, as research shows the benefits of keeping fit during the exam season.
Teenagers from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School’s Sixth Form are offered time free from academic work weekly – with one of the options being to attend our Pool and Fitness Suite.
Becca Garner, Annie Ross and Chelsie Lilley are all weekly attendees at the gym and will continue to take advantage of the afternoon workouts in the run-up to exams.
“This is a good idea, it gives us time out in the week to exercise. The pressure of knowing you want to do well in your exams can present a lot of stress and this is a way of forgetting some of that,” said Becca, who is hoping to study Business Management at University.
Chelsie added: “It helps to clear your mind. I started exercising during sixth form, thanks to having this opportunity.”
Hattie Needham was a keen sports player before sixth form, playing netball for a leading county team. She also appreciates the Wednesday sport afternoons.
“This definitely helps to relieve any stress during what can be a stressful time,” she said.
Recent research, carried out at the University of Edinburgh Sports Union, recommended that even short bursts – 10 minutes – of exercise can increase a student’s mental alertness, energy and positive mood. It went on to add how physical activity can have both immediate and long-term benefits on academic performance, with positive difference noticed almost straight away.
Head of Sixth Form at Queen Elizabeth Grammar Tim Randman agreed. “This is not standard practice at all sixth forms, but we do insist that PE is continued here. However, we do recognise that our older students should be given freedom and choice to either take part in a school-based activity or attend the pool and gym, while others will go running,” he said.
“We recently had a visit from a professional in the study of mental health, who highlighted the importance of exercise and health on reducing anxiety and stress, which can clearly be heightened during exam time,” he added.
For more information on opening times of our fitness suite in Horncastle click here.