Early studies on mice at the Oregon health & Science University have demonstrated a direct link between short bursts of exercise and the stimulation of a gene which helps make connections between neurons specific to the hippocampus. In other words, it is possible that a short period of intense exercise (such as is usual in many a school day) primes the brain for learning. This could have useful and immediate implications for schools such as organising timetables to alternate between physical activity and classroom work. Science Daily has the overview. The team will move on to more explicit measures of learning ability post-exercise, but it seems such a useful idea that perhaps it should be implemented anyway.
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.