London: Ever thought why does your child fail to perform better in classroom or be cheerful? Well, you can get your answer the sooner you understand the old saying - all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, a new study has suggested.

A study conducted by scientists in the Netherlands has indicated that the schoolchildren may be able to boost their classroom performance by getting out on the playing field.

A review of previous research found evidence that physical activity can improve academic achievement in children and teenagers.

Scientists pooled data from 14 studies with sample sizes ranging from 53 to 12,000 participants aged between 6 and 18.

After the study, the researchers said exercise may help mental faculties by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain, reducing stress and improving mood.

Physical activity could also boost levels of growth factors that help generate new nerve cells and assist the 'rewiring' of neurons.

The study authors, led by Amika Singh, from Vrije University Medical Centre in Amsterdam, wrote in the journal Archives of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine: "According to the best-evidence synthesis, we found strong evidence of a significant positive relationship between physical activity and academic performance.

The findings of one high-quality intervention study and one high-quality observational study suggest that being more physically active is positively related to improved academic performance in children. IANS