A large study conducted in Norway with 782 students found that physical activity can improve academic performance. In the study, 400 students were given free gym membership for one semester, which led them to increase their level of activity. At the same time, their studies began to run more smoothly: they dropped fewer courses, failed less often and earned more credits compared to the control group.

Of course, the study doesn’t claim that exercise alone turns anyone into a genius. Instead, experts have suggested a few possible explanations. Exercise can improve self-regulation, sleep quality, and daily energy levels – all of which may have a more direct impact on how your studies progress. The connections are not entirely straightforward, but the findings strongly suggest that increasing movement can genuinely support academic performance. 

If exercise is already part of your routine, this research simply confirms that you’re doing something valuable not only for your health, but also for your studies. In other words: one more great reason to keep going.

If, on the other hand, it often feels like there’s no time for exercise, this study offers an interesting perspective. The time you invest in moving may well come back to you later – when your studies start progressing more smoothly than expected.