Does Exercise Help With Revision?

When exams are fast approaching, it can feel like every minute has to be spent on revision, and exercise might seem like a luxury you can’t afford. However, the truth is that moving your body is one of the fastest ways to boost your focus, memory, and mood, helping you get more out of every study session.

In this guide, you’ll discover how exercise helps with revision, what kinds of movement work best, and how to fit it into your routine, even when time is tight.

Key Takeaways

• Exercise boosts memory, concentration, and reduces stress levels.

• Even short walks or stretches can sharpen focus and help information stick.

• You don’t need to be sporty. A few minutes of regular movement makes a real difference.

What Happens to Your Brain When You Exercise?

When you move your body, you’re also energising your brain. Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to key areas, improving alertness and mental stamina.

It also releases powerful chemicals that support learning and focus:

• Dopamine boosts motivation and concentration.

• Endorphins lift your mood and reduce stress.

• Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) helps brain cells grow and connect, strengthening memory pathways.

Together, these changes make your brain more flexible and ready to learn. This process is called neuroplasticity. In short, regular movement doesn’t just make you feel more awake; it helps your brain build and retain new knowledge more effectively.

Does Exercise Actually Improve Revision?

Yes. Research confirms that staying active supports better learning and memory.

A review published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience (opens in a new tab) found that regular aerobic activity improves attention, processing speed, and working memory across all age groups. These are all key skills for effective revision.

Another study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (opens in a new tab) shows that regular aerobic activity can even increase the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory. 

In simple terms, regular movement helps your brain work more efficiently. Active students often find it easier to focus better and remember more from their revision sessions.

This means students who stay active are more likely to:

• Stay focused for longer and avoid the mid-revision slump.

• Recall information more easily in tests and exams.

• Feel calmer and more confident, even under pressure.

Even a brisk 10-minute walk can make a difference, helping you reset your focus and give your next revision session a boost.

What Kind of Exercise Is Best for Studying?

Different types of movement help your brain in different ways. The best kind of exercise is the one you will actually do regularly. Here’s how each type supports your revision:

Aerobic Exercise (for example, walking, cycling, running)

Aerobic activity boosts oxygen flow to the brain. It supports long-term memory and improves concentration. It is ideal for breaks between study sessions or as a warm-up before starting to revise.

Tip: A 20-minute brisk walk before studying can sharpen focus and improve recall for up to two hours afterwards.

Stretching or Yoga

Gentle movement, such as yoga, helps release tension and lower stress hormones. It’s useful at the start or end of the day, or during long revision sessions when your posture begins to suffer.

Try this: Between subjects, stretch your shoulders and spine or follow a short guided yoga video to reset your focus.

Short Bursts of Movement (“Exercise Snacks”)

These are quick, five to ten minute bursts of activity such as squats, jumping jacks, or pacing.
They wake up your body and refresh your attention without breaking your revision flow.

Example: After a 25-minute Pomodoro revision session, do 20 squats or walk around your room for five minutes. You will come back feeling more alert and ready to continue.

When Should You Exercise for Best Results?

You’ll benefit in slightly different ways from movement during each stage of your revision.

Before Studying

Light or moderate activity, such as a short walk, cycle, or jog, helps prepare your brain for learning. This increases oxygen and blood flow, releasing dopamine that helps boost your focus and alertness.

Even five to ten minutes of movement can help you start your revision session with more energy.

After Studying

Exercise after studying can help your brain process and store what you have learned. This stage is known as memory consolidation.

A gentle walk, some yoga, or stretching before bed can help you relax while your brain strengthens its new connections.

Between Study Sessions

Movement breaks stop your concentration from fading. Short bursts of activity refresh your mind and reduce mental fatigue.

You could use the Pomodoro technique: study for 25 minutes, then take a five-minute movement break. Stand up, stretch, or walk to get a drink before sitting down again. Small actions like these help you stay focused throughout the day.

How to Fit Exercise Into Your Revision Routine

The biggest myth about exercise during revision is that you don’t have time for it. 

The truth is, you don’t need long workouts to see results. Just ten to fifteen minutes of movement can make a noticeable difference to your energy and focus. You’ve probably spent longer than that scrolling on your phone today.

Here are some simple ways to include exercise in your study plan:

• Plan short breaks for movement. Add five-minute walks or stretches into your revision timetable.

• Use movement as a reset. After finishing a topic or past paper, get up and move before starting the next one.

• Walk while learning. Listen to recorded notes, flashcards, or podcasts as you walk.

• Stand while you study. Try revising at a high counter or using a standing desk for part of your day.

• Track your movement. Add a simple step or exercise tracker to your revision timetable to help you stay consistent.

Consistency beats intensity every time. Regular movement keeps your brain active and reduces your stress levels, even during busy exam weeks.

For more ideas to boost your focus while studying, see our guide on how to improve memory and concentration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I exercise to help with studying?

Even ten to twenty minutes of moderate activity can improve focus and memory. 

Aim for about thirty minutes of movement each day, but you can break it into smaller sessions.

Should I exercise before or after revising?

Both can help. Exercising before revision boosts alertness and concentration. Exercising after revision helps your brain store what you have learned. 

Try both and see which works best for your schedule.

Can walking count as exercise for revision benefits?

Yes. Walking is one of the easiest and most effective ways to boost brain performance. 

A brisk walk increases oxygen and blood flow to the brain, improving focus and mood.

Make Movement Part of Your Revision Plan

Exercise is not a break from revision; it’s part of a smart revision strategy. Moving regularly helps your brain absorb information, stay focused, and manage stress more effectively.

You don’t need to join a gym or follow a strict routine. Just add small bursts of movement throughout your day. Walk, stretch, or do a few minutes of light activity between study sessions.

These simple habits will keep your energy levels steady and your mind clear. Stay active, stay balanced, and you’ll get more out of every revision session. 

Explore the wide range of Save My Exams revision resources to make your study time even more effective.

References:

• Erickson, K. I., Voss, M. W., Prakash, R. S., Basak, C., Szabo, A., Chaddock, L., et al. (2011). Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory. Proc Natl Acad. Sci. USA (PNAS), (opens in a new tab) 108(7), 3017–3022 (opens in a new tab).

• Hillman, C. H., Erickson, K. I., & Kramer, A. F. (2008). Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition. Nat Rev Neurosci, 9:58–65 (opens in a new tab).