Head Teachers Agree That Physical Activity is Essential for Exam Success

May 31, 2011 - PRLog -- Maggie Ayre, Fitness Coach for Teenage Girls, who tells us; "exercise is just one of the simple things young people can do that are guaranteed to help them concentrate better and improve their retention of all that important information."  

So what can a parent do to give their child the best possible chance?  Maggie says that good nutrition, plenty of sleep, time spent being active and time spent relaxing will all help.  “Often delivering your best in an exam situation has very little to do with how much revision you have done or how well you have prepared during the rest of the year instead it hinges more on your state of mind when you enter the exam room.”

Maggie Ayre works as a Fitness Coach for Teenage Girls.  At this time of year Maggie’s clients have only one thing on their mind – exams.

ChildLine tell us that 92% of teenagers feel worried and anxious about their exams and revision.  The main reasons for this are pressure from parents and a lack of support through their exams.  Many report that they have skipped meals and have had problems sleeping because they have felt stressed about the exams.  Maggie says that this is where regular activity can really help.  Here are Maggie’s top seven tips for exam success this summer.

1. Regular exercise will wake up your body enabling you to concentrate harder for longer.  This is particularly true if you exercise in the morning.  Even if you don’t feel like completing your usual exercise routine it is a good idea to do some gentle exercise such as walking, jogging or going for a bike ride.

2. Fresh air is great for re-energising us.  A walk round the block or trip to the park during a revision break is guaranteed to help your child concentrate harder when they do return to their books.

3. Include regular breaks throughout the day.  Use these five minute breaks to stretch, walk up and down the stairs or around the garden, jog on the spot, skip rope, jump on a trampoline etc. These short exercises will act as “stress busters” and help them concentrate.  

4. Regular healthy meals will help your child to concentrate.  Encourage your child to eat something when they first wake up.  It helps prepare the body and brain for a productive day ahead.   At the other end of the day don’t let your child eat too late at night.  They’ll find it harder to get to sleep and that will scupper their revision plans for the following day.

5. Prepare meals that contain lots of fresh produce.  Avoid oily, high carbohydrate and high calorie foods.  On the other hand, encouraging your child to occasionally eat out with family or friends after finishing coursework or exams could help decrease their stress levels!

6. When you’re studying it can be very easy to reach for the biscuits and chocolates.  Help your child by preparing some healthy, energy boosting snacks such as a selection of raw vegetables and dips to pick at whilst they study.

7. Avoid more than two cups of coffee, tea or cola.  The high caffeine levels could leave them feeling jittery and they may find it hard to concentrate.  Also avoid energy drinks which tend to be full of sugar leading to energy spikes which can leave them feeling nervous and unable to concentrate.  Instead encourage them to drink plenty of water or herbal teas.


Maggie Ayre is seen as a leader in her field; making it fun and cool to be fit and healthy. Previously Maggie has been both an international athlete and a Personal Trainer but for the last two years she has specialised in Fitness for Teenage Girls and has a goal to Get Every Teen Girl Active. She has had great success getting girls who have decided they “don’t do exercise” to re-engage with fitness and healthy eating. For more information see http://www.maggieayre.com or http://www.femalefitnessfiasco.com.

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About Maggie Ayre: Maggie Ayre is a Fitness Coach for Teenage Girls.

Maggie has a goal to Get Every Teen Girl Active. She has seen that activity can massively increase a girl's self-confidence and self-esteem as well as helping to promote a positive body-image.

- Active girls concentrate and participate better at schools leading to improved grades.
- Active girls feel more capable and better able to deal with what life throws at them.
- Schools that include regular activity as part of the school day report fewer incidences of bad behaviour.

Maggie has developed the 3G Program; a program designed to be run in schools and youth clubs which incorporates fitness, nutrition and goal setting. Maggie is currently looking for schools to take part in a pilot project of the 3G Program in September 2011. Please see http://maggieayre.typepad.com/female_fitness_revolution/ for more information.