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Become a better student · Module 2: Body and brain

Exercise and focus

Moving your body is not time away from revision. It helps your brain do the revision.

Written by the Brainhub Editorial Team Cites published research Updated 13 Oct 2026 5 min read

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Key takeaways

1. What the research says

Reviews of the research link regular physical activity with better attention, memory and thinking skills, and with changes in the brain areas involved in learning.[1]

A systematic review of studies in children found that physical activity generally has positive effects on cognitive function, though the link to exam results is less consistent.[2]

2. How much activity

The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that children and young people aged 5 to 18 do an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day across the week.[3]

3. Use movement as a break

A 5 to 10-minute walk, stretch or set of star jumps between revision blocks is a good way to reset. It’s better than scrolling, which keeps your attention busy rather than giving it a rest.

Phone breaks fill your head. Movement breaks clear it.

4. Exam season

Keep the habit

Don’t drop sport entirely. Shorter sessions keep the benefits.

Walk and talk

Explain a topic out loud on a walk. It’s retrieval practice and exercise at once.

Before the exam

A short walk on the morning of an exam can help settle nerves.

For parents: Suggest a walk together after a long revision block, and ask them to teach you what they just learned.

Try it now

Test yourself on this page

Answer in your head first, then check.

  1. 1. How much activity do the UK guidelines recommend for 5 to 18 year olds?

  2. 2. What makes a better revision break: scrolling or a short walk?

  3. 3. Should you stop sport during exam season?

Your next steps

  • Add a 5-minute movement break between revision blocks.
  • Try explaining one topic out loud on a walk.
  • Keep at least two sport or exercise sessions in your week.

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Sources

  1. Hillman, C. H., Erickson, K. I. and Kramer, A. F. (2008). Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(1), 58–65. doi:10.1038/nrn2298
  2. Donnelly, J. E. et al. (2016). Physical activity, fitness, cognitive function, and academic achievement in children: a systematic review. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 48(6), 1197–1222. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000000901
  3. UK Chief Medical Officers (2019). UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines. gov.uk/government/publications/physical-activity-guidelines-uk-chief-medical-officers-report

This guide is general study advice. Every student is different. A teacher can help you work out what fits.