5 Ways Sports Boost Your Exam Performance

Playing a sport is a well established way of maintaining a healthy body. But its benefits go way beyond physical health. In fact, playing an outdoor sport can actually help you boost your academic and career performance.

So, the next time you decide to ditch an hour of swimming or playing cricket only to get a few more hours to prepare for that entrance exam, think again!

In this blog post, we bring to you 5 scientifically proven ways in which sports can help you boost your exam scores and even help you in becoming a better professional.

1. Improved concentration and memory

Research has shown that physical activity can actually grow new brain cells in a part of the brain responsible for memory. Sports such as cricket, football, basketball and many others increase one’s sense of alertness and instil the idea of being ready for anything. This attentiveness transfers to the learning environment as well.

Sports are also known to make your information processing faster. Hence, maybe you can solve that question in just 2 minutes instead of 5!

2. Reduced stress levels

Physical activity naturally increases blood flow to the brain and activates endorphins which impact your mood. Many studies have shown that sports can lift our mood and decrease feelings of anxiety. Being in a good mood can help us focus and concentrate, as well as feel more confident when we are studying or revising.

3. The soft skills essential for success

People who play some sports learn leadership skills, responsibility, discipline and time management skills that carry over into the study space, thereby improving the entire study session.

Sports demand that a player is constantly learning from his/ her experiences on the field. This is an important quality especially if seen in the space of analysing mocks to improve scores and strategies.

Regularly playing some sport also instils in you the ability to deal with highs and lows and imparts resilience.

4. Be a better communicator and a team player

Trust us on this, good communication skills and being a team player are the two most important skills required to succeed in your professional career. Playing sports gives you an edge here, both directly and indirectly. For instance, if you’re a good basketball player, you may stand out in the intra-organisational skills. Also, as a part of a sports team, you will learn how to put forth your ideas and convince others of the same, without offending them.

5. Improved time management skills

Necessity demands that sportspersons learn valuable time management skills. These people know that every second counts, and this value of time translates to their everyday life. This careful planning and precision helps them focus on reaching their goals sooner than non-players.

Thus, regularly playing a sport will impart valuable skills in you that will help you in your overall development.

So, which sport helps YOU de-stress? Let us know in the comments section below.