The Role of Physical Activity in Learning, Especially the Facilitation of Second Language Acquisition: A Review of Neuroscience-Based Evidence

In recent years, physical activity (PA) has gained attention not only for its health benefits but also for its remarkable and huge influence on learning and brain function. While exercise has long been associated with improved mood and memory, its potential impact on second language acquisition (SLA) remains underexplored in mainstream education. Studies across various age groups demonstrate that movement—whether through structured sports, walking, or gesture-based learning—supports vocabulary retention, reduces anxiety, and promotes learner motivation. These outcomes appear to be driven by enhanced release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), increased hippocampal activity, and lowered cortisol levels during and after physical activity. This review demonstrates recent neuroscience-based evidence, showing that physical activity can positively shape cognitive functions, emotional states, and neuroplasticity—all of which are essential for successful language learning process. This narrative review also synthesizes peer-reviewed findings from cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and SLA, concluding that integrating movement into language instruction is not a supplementary tool, but may be fundamental to how humans learn language most naturally.

کلیدواژه ها:

Physical activity ، second language acquisition ، cognitive function ، neuroplasticity ، vocabulary retention