As the world struggles against the worst effects of increasingly sedentary lifestyles, and a diet of fast foods, physical activity is once again gaining currency as a public health priority. This is not least because those who are worst affected are children and youthful members of the population, who hold the promise for the future of the United States, as well as the rest of the world. It is however possible that sedentary lifestyles have done more than worsen the waistlines of American people, but also rendered them less intelligent. This paper argues that the physical activity increases intelligence, psychological and psychological wellbeing. It draws on the life of Arnold Spirit and related literature to show how physical activity and sheer determination helps a young man rise above cultural stereotypes and entrenched systemic barriers.
Physical activity is easily one of the best and proven ways of improving physical health, but for many people, it is arguable that it also helps in relaxing both the body and mind. The relationship between physical health and psychological health as well as intelligence is possible has always been possible for a number of reasons, but much more recently, empirically research evidence is beginning to provide much-needed proof. In a recent study, scientists as Saginaw State University established that physically active students had comparably higher GPAs compared to inactive students. The study controlled for other factors that influenced academic performance (e.g. gender and study time), this study pointed to the fact that physical activity was consistently associated with better academic performance.
In Alexie Sherman’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Arnold Spirit is and an unadulterated illustration the research findings at the Saginaw State University. Spirit is born with a potentially debilitating condition i.e. born with “water on the brain”, which means that he lives with a constant possibility of seizures. Arnold is born with an even greater disability in the form of the fact that he belongs to an ethnic minority. His twin disabilities mean that he is constantly picked on, especially so after he transfers to a predominantly white school a long distance from his poverty-ridden reservation. Fortunately, Arnold happens to have a very active lifestyle, largely because of his love for basketball. Arnold does well in academically and portrays incredible intelligence in his relationships with other people. Despite the disabilities that he has, his involvement in sports gives him the self-confidence and determination to take on challenges without fear.
It is possible that people who are intelligent are also happen to be active. This is emphasized in the Saginaw State University study and other related studies. Parker-Pope (2010) points out that a previous study showed that the more hours that students spent more hours studying were up to four more times likely to engage in moderate physical activity. Similarly, students who had GPAs of more than 3.5 were up to three times more likely to engage in vigorous physical exercises compared to students with GPAs of less than 3. Effectively, the “chicken and egg” question arises here, but there is reason to believe that the causal relationship flows from physical activity as against the other way round. As perhaps bets emphasized by Arnold, Rowdy and Gordy, excelling in sports gives one confidence to take on other challenges. If Arnold felt that he was physically just as competitive as other children, then it is easy to believe that he is just as intellectually competitive as the rest of the children.
Further, intelligence comes in many forms other than getting good grades. There is a form of intelligence called emotional intelligence, which regards people’s behavior, relationships with other people and communication and regulate one’s feelings. If indeed physical activity helps general relaxation and emotional wellbeing, then it is true that it promotes intelligence. Human emotions are an important aspect of human nature and an integral determinant of motivation. Arnold Spirit is able to create and sustain good relationships with other children in his new environment, despite the fact that he came from from a poor background, a part time Indianess and hydrocephalus. He can express himself through art, and actually succeeds in merging himself into the mainstream despite being constantly picked on.
Conclusion
Alexie Sherman’s characters in the Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian are mostly living embodiments of how physical activity promotes emotional and even academic health. This is borne out by the Saginaw State University study and past studies that find a clear link between physical activity and academic performance. Further, it is evident that physical activity fosters physical and emotional relaxation, which should in turn make for emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is a major factor shaping people’s ability to control their own feelings as well form healthy relationships with other people. This is best illustrated by Spirit’s relatively healthy social life despite the massive odds that he comes up against due to his impairments. There is a certain need for further research in order to confirm the findings in the Saginaw State University Study, but even if this study is ultimately disproved, there is still no harm in encouraging active lifestyles.
References
Alexie, S. (2009). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Liu, K., & Zhang, H. (2011). Self- and Counter-Representations of Native Americans: Stereotypical Images of and New Images by Native Americans in. Intercultural Communication Studies XX: 2 .
Parker-Pope, T. (2010, June 8). WELL; Vigorous Exercise Linked With Better Grades. Retrieved Oct 15, 2014, from http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A03EEDE103EF93BA35755C0A9669D8B63
