Children should not stop playing sport in run up to exams as it has no impact on results, study suggests

Professor Peter Clough, head the Psychology department at Huddersfield University who carried out the research, found that contrary to what some parents believe, “sport involvement does not appear to have any negative implications” on results.

He told The Daily Telegraph: “Overall, taking part in sport appears to have a lot of positive impact. There is no evidence that people involved in sport get any worse GCSE results.

“But they are happier, psychologically healthier, less anxious and more resilient and robust. Taking part in sport on a regular basis is not doing them any harm and it is doing them good.”

Prof Clough’s study found that there is a significant relationship between involvement in sport and mental toughness, as well as a positive association between sport and mental wellbeing.

“These findings strongly suggest that students revising for their GCSEs or A-levels should not abandon sport,” he said.

“Balance is important, and sport plays a vital role in preparing them for the pressures of the exam room. It can even help some young people thrive when in stressful situations.”

Read The Telegraph