Why Sports and Physical Activity Matter for Students, Even in Board Exam Years

In Class 9 or 10, many families in Kharghar make the same decision: “No more football or swimming this year. Board exams are coming.” It sounds sensible. In our experience it often has the opposite effect. Students who stop moving tend to sleep worse, feel more stressed and find it harder, not easier, to concentrate.

How much activity do students need?

The World Health Organization recommends that children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 get at least 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, with activities that strengthen muscles and bones on at least three days a week. Most students who sit through school, coaching and homework fall well short of this.

Six benefits of sports and physical activity for students

1. Better concentration

Many students find they can focus better after exercise. A game of badminton or a brisk walk is one of the best breaks between long study sessions.

2. Better sleep

Active children usually fall asleep more easily and sleep more deeply. Good sleep is when the brain consolidates what was learnt during the day.

3. Less stress and better mood

Physical activity is one of the simplest ways to release the tension that builds up before tests and exams. Read more in our guide to handling exam stress.

4. Less screen time

Time on the field is time away from the phone. Sport is one of the most effective ways to reduce screen time without a fight.

5. Life skills

Sport teaches discipline, teamwork, handling defeat and trying again. These are the same habits that help in a long revision plan or a difficult chapter.

6. Long-term health

Habits formed in the teenage years tend to last. Regular activity supports healthy growth, strong bones, good posture and a healthy weight.

How to fit activity into a busy school week

• Keep one sport or activity through Classes 9 and 10, even if you reduce the hours.
• Use short breaks well. 10 minutes of skipping, stretching or a walk between subjects.
• Walk or cycle short distances within your sector instead of taking a vehicle.
• Use Kharghar’s open spaces. Parks, walking tracks and the hills nearby are a big advantage for families here.
• Plan it like a subject. Put activity in the weekly timetable so it is not the first thing to be dropped.

For parents

Treat your child’s sport as part of their preparation, not a distraction from it. Encourage, attend a match when you can, and resist the urge to cancel it at the first sign of a low test score. If marks slip, look first at sleep, screen time and study method.

How TBTLC plans around it

At The Banyan Tree Learning Center, batch timings are set around school timings at the start of the year, and every topic ends with a short review, so students are not left cramming late into the night. That leaves room for sport and rest. See our programmes for Grades 8–12.

Frequently asked questions

How much physical activity does a teenager need?

The World Health Organization recommends that children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 do at least 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, with muscle- and bone-strengthening activity at least three days a week.

Should my child stop sports in Class 10 to focus on studies?

Usually not. Reducing the time spent is reasonable in the busiest months, but stopping completely removes one of the best tools for managing stress, sleep and concentration. Even 30 to 60 minutes a day helps.

Does exercise really improve concentration?

Many students find they focus better after physical activity, and regular exercise is linked with better sleep and mood, both of which affect learning. A short walk or game between study sessions is a useful break.

What if my child does not like team sports?

Any movement counts. Cycling, swimming, dance, yoga, skipping, badminton or a brisk walk in one of Kharghar’s parks are all good options. The best activity is the one your child will keep doing.