ISLAMABAD: Researchers have found that fitness enhances math skills by aiding the development of brain structures that contribute to mathematics achievement.
Children who are aerobically fit tend to have significantly thinner gray matter, the outermost layer of brain cells in the cerebrum, associated with better mathematics performance, said the study published in the journal PLOS ONE.
“Gray matter thinning is the sculpting of a fully formed, healthy brain.”
The theory is that the brain is pruning away unnecessary connections and strengthening useful connections,” said lead researcher Laura Chaddock-Heyman from the University of Illinois in the US.
The researchers imaged the children’s brains using MRI and tested their math, reading and spelling skills. The team found differences in math skills and cortical brain structure between the higher fit and lower fit children.
In particular, thinner gray matter corresponded to better math performance in the higher fit kids. No significant fitness associated differences in reading or spelling aptitude were detected.
