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Thai Educators Urged to Embrace Outdoor Exercise as New Study Reveals Boost to Children’s Brainpower

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A groundbreaking international study has revealed that outdoor physical activity delivers far greater improvements in children’s brain function than identical exercise carried out indoors—prompting calls for Thai schools and parents to rethink how and where kids stay active. The findings, published in the journal Physiology & Behavior in mid-June 2025 and now gaining traction among health and education experts worldwide, reinforce the unique value of nature for sharpening young minds and signal an important opportunity for Thailand’s public health and school curricula.

Why does this research matter to Thai families and educators? As academic competitiveness intensifies and screen time continues to rise in Thailand, attention is increasingly turning to the best ways to nurture students’ cognitive health and learning potential. With Thai parents and schools often relying on structured, indoor sporting activities—ranging from basketball in air-conditioned gyms to dance and aerobics in multipurpose halls—the question of whether environment makes a difference has become urgent. The latest findings suggest the answer is a resounding “yes,” with significant implications for classroom focus, academic results, and even stress management in Thai youth.

According to the new study by a research team at Nottingham Trent University, 45 children aged 11-13 from two secondary schools in the United Kingdom participated in matched sessions of basketball-based exercise—first inside, then outside—allowing for unique side-by-side comparisons. Using established tests of attention, memory, and higher-order thinking, the researchers found that children performed markedly better after exercising outdoors: reaction times quickened, accuracy improved, and the mental gains lasted at least 45 minutes post-activity. Key statistics included reaction speeds in a “Stroop” attention test improving by 94 milliseconds after outdoor activity (compared to only 20 milliseconds indoors), and superior memory recall and attention scores on tasks that mirror the kinds of focus required in Thai classrooms (PsyPost; ScienceDirect).

Crucially, these cognitive boosts were not simply due to burning more energy or enjoying the session more. Although participants covered less distance outdoors (“fewer sprints”), their average heart rates were higher, indicating a more vigorous workload, but their reported enjoyment and emotional state were equivalent between settings. This finding aligns with a growing body of global research—such as a 2025 review published in the same journal—which suggests outdoor activity exerts unique restorative effects on the brain, above and beyond the well-documented benefits of movement or mood enhancement alone (ScienceDirect).

What might explain the nature “effect”? One leading theory highlighted by the study is Attention Restoration Theory, which proposes that natural spaces gently absorb our attention in a non-taxing way, allowing overstressed brains to recover and function at their peak. Thailand, with its rich biodiversity, green schoolyards, temple grounds, and urban parks, presents abundant opportunities for such experiences—but only if teachers and policymakers intentionally incorporate outdoor activity into the daily routine. The researchers point to reduced stress and emotional relief as other possible mechanisms, though these were not the primary factors driving cognitive gains in the current study.

Although the study was conducted on UK children in relatively rural schools with plenty of greenery—a setting not always matched in Bangkok or rapidly urbanizing Thai towns—the findings offer compelling lessons. “For Thai educators, the take-home message is to maximize outdoor activity in whatever green spaces are available, whether on campus lawns, temple courtyards, or community sports fields. Even urban schools may reap benefits by organizing outdoor rotations or seeking local parks,” commented a senior academic with a leading Thai education faculty, who reviewed the study for the Bangkok Post. The official also noted the likely benefits for students under academic pressure, including secondary students facing major university entrance exams—an issue of ongoing national concern.

Complementing this, a Thai paediatrician known for research on childhood exercise points to nationwide trends that make these findings even more urgent: “Smartphone use among Thai children has soared, and sedentary lifestyles are on the rise, especially in cities. If outdoor play can truly boost cognitive resources, it belongs at the heart of Thai child development policy—especially with so many children still recovering from pandemic-related academic setbacks.” Data from a 2024 Ministry of Public Health report confirm that fewer than a quarter of Thai children achieve the recommended levels of daily physical activity and that outdoor playtime is especially constrained in high-rise housing and dense city schools.

Thai cultural factors also merit attention. Traditional forms of play—from sepak takraw in temple grounds to kite-flying in public parks—reflect a deep-rooted appreciation for activity in nature. However, rapid urbanization, parental safety fears, and school security concerns have, over the past two decades, driven children into increasingly indoor settings. Many contemporary Thai schools now emphasize rigorous academics and after-school tuition over open-ended outdoor play. The current study places renewed scientific weight behind the wisdom of older Thai generations who urged children outdoors for both physical and mental health.

Looking ahead, the researchers urge further investigation into whether the type of outdoor setting—lush woodland, urban playground, or temple courtyard—affects cognitive outcomes, and whether teenagers (including high schoolers facing intense exam pressure) gain even larger mental benefits. Limiting factors of the latest study include its small, relatively privileged sample; future Thai research could focus on under-resourced urban or rural schools, testing the minimum “dose” of outdoor play needed for brain benefits. Similar studies undertaken in Asian settings, such as a 2023 Japanese experiment and a small-scale Thai school pilot (2024), provide early support for the cross-cultural robustness of these findings, though more systematic research is needed (ZME Science).

Practically speaking, what should Thai readers—especially parents, teachers, and policymakers—do next? First, prioritize meaningful daily outdoor play for students of all ages, regardless of academic pathway. Even short sessions, matched to Thailand’s hot climate and the realities of urban life, are likely to produce sharper attention and improved memory. Second, schools should work with local government and community groups to improve access to green spaces and safe outdoor facilities, especially in underserved neighborhoods. Third, innovations such as outdoor classrooms, rotating outdoor subjects (from science experiments to art), or “green break” programs during the school day could become a signature feature of Thai education reform.

Finally, as Thailand strives to build a new generation of creative, resilient, and mentally agile citizens, the evidence is clear: exposure to the natural world is as vital for brain development as it is for physical health. The latest science challenges Thai society to let nature back into schoolyards, family routines, and urban planning—for the benefit of young minds and, by extension, the nation’s future. For parents and teachers seeking to unlock children’s full academic potential, the prescription may be simple: start with fifteen minutes of outdoor play.

For those interested in the full research, the study can be accessed at PsyPost and ScienceDirect.

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Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making decisions about your health.