Research on the Impact of Sports on Executive Function and Academic Achievement in Teens

Young people gain the most from physical activity when it challenges them. A study published in Cognitive Development found that teens who spent more time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity showed stronger executive function skills. These skills include decision-making, self-control, and thinking through consequences.

Team ball games like soccer, basketball, and similar sports had the strongest and most consistent link to better executive function at age 14. Meanwhile, individual ball games and swimming were linked to better academic performance later on, at age 17.

These results tell us that different kinds of movement may support different areas of development. More importantly, they show that physical activity does not harm academic success, as some school policies fear.

Understanding the Research

This study sought to understand whether certain types of physical activity are linked to differences in teens’ thinking skills and school performance.

The researchers went beyond activity levels to see if the type and difficulty of the activity influenced brain skills, particularly decision-making and impulse control during emotional or high-pressure moments (known as hot executive functioning).

Using data from 3,526 teens from the UK’s Millennium Cohort Study, researchers analyzed information collected at ages 7, 14, and 17. They examined early thinking skills, physical activity, and school outcomes.

At age 14, teens wore an activity tracker and filled out a daily diary to show how much they moved and what activities they did (such as team sports or swimming).

To measure thinking skills, researchers used a decision-making task that mimics real-life choices involving risk and reward. School performance was checked later using exam results at age 17.

Factors like family income and learning abilities were considered to make the results more accurate.

So what did the study actually find?

• More intense physical activity supported better decision-making, especially in high-pressure situations (hot executive functioning). Team ball games like soccer and basketball showed the strongest connections.
• While individual ball games offered some benefits, team sports were more consistently associated with better performance on hot executive functioning tasks. (This is because team sports are more mentally demanding — they involve unpredictable situations that require quick judgment.)
• Time spent being active was not linked to worse grades, which countered concerns that exercise takes away from learning.
• Some activities were linked to better academic outcomes. These included swimming and individual ball games, which were associated with higher GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) grades later on. (According to the researchers, the mechanism behind this remains to be explored.)
• Physical activity during the school week, which is often more organized, was more strongly linked to thinking skills than less structured weekend activity.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

One important takeaway from this research is that teens can benefit from a variety of physical activities. We can encourage kids to explore different activities, not just to stay active but also to sharpen their minds.

Here are tips to put this into practice:

Give them opportunities to participate in team sports

You can start by playing simple team-sport games at home, like passing a ball back and forth or shooting hoops, to help them get comfortable and have fun. Then, attend games together to show support and let them see how team sports work in a real setting.

Offer low-pressure options like after-school clubs so they can try without stress. Allow them to explore different sports to find what they enjoy most.

Include individual sports or skill-based activities

The same goes for these types of activities. Whether it’s swimming, gymnastics, or another sport that requires discipline, self-motivation, and repeated practice, let them try something they naturally enjoy.

Try to balance structured sessions with free play

For example, families can schedule soccer practice during the week and casual bike rides, trips to the park, or games on weekends. This mix keeps physical activity engaging while helping kids and teens stay mentally sharp.

The authors suggest studying each type of physical activity on its own to see how it affects thinking skills. They also recommend looking at whether boys and girls are affected differently.

Keep kids moving and thriving! Learn why activity matters with our Benefits of Physical Activity Poster, and check out our Healthy Habits Posters for more tips on everyday wellness.