With spring quarter almost over, most students have just one last hurdle to overcome before summer bliss: finals week. Whether in the form of a test, paper or project, nearly every UW student has some type of academic obstacle between them and three months of mental relaxation. Studying and writing will take precedence over nearly everything else. However, there is a growing body of evidence that students should seriously consider incorporating exercise back into their daily routines during this period of academic overload.

A recent study at the University of Illinois highlights this link between physical exertion and academic performance. Researchers had elementary students perform 20-minute walking sessions on a treadmill before taking a reading-comprehension test. They found that the students who exercised before the test scored almost a full grade level higher than the control group.

This study has added to the growing body of evidence suggesting that physical activity is beneficial to learning. Naperville Central High School, located just outside of Chicago, decided to use this information to help struggling students. They instituted a “learning readiness” physical education class in which students periodically exercise during the week. Student improvement was dramatic.

After one semester, students involved in the class gained the equivalent of 1.34 years of growth on a standardized reading test. Similar results occurred in math. Students improved their scores by 20 percent on a standardized algebra test as compared to 4 percent for those not in the class.

In the same way that athletes mentally prepare themselves for a race or a match, students need to physically prepare themselves for a test or a paper. Thankfully, the UW offers a wide range of physical activities that are cheap and convenient.

The Intramural Activities (IMA) Building has the facilities for everything from weight lifting to climbing to swimming. Students can also enroll in fitness classes that range from hip-hop dance to triathlon training. If exercising indoors is not appealing, the Waterfront Activities Center (WAC) rents canoes and rowboats for students to get a workout on Lake Washington. Even activities such as running or biking may help in the multi-hour academic binges.

There is a certain tragedy to college in that regular exercise is one of the first activities many students jettison when classes begin to get tough. When deciding between passing a class and a 5-mile run, few students choose the latter. However, there is good evidence that this is a false choice. Students who forgo physical activity for a few extra hours of cramming may be worse off.

As we enter the last few days of the quarter, when late-night parties are replaced by midnight paper-writing, remember that exercise is not simply a luxury to be discarded when time becomes scarce. Try spending an hour at the IMA before a tough exam or go out for a short run while taking a break from writing a paper. Your body and your mind will thank you for it.

Reach columnist Mike Noon at opinion@dailyuw.com.