Kyle Jepsen

Com 100
10/28/2016
Detailed speech outline
Introduction
Quote: From Iron and the Soul by Henry Rollins, musician and writer, “I believe when the body
is strong, the mind thinks strong thoughts.”
Introduction:
Introduce myself.
Today I will talk about the importance of physical exercise and how the effects it has on the
brain benefits college students.
I am going to start with:
Main point:
1. How physical exercise improves the brain.
a. Improvements in cognitive skills
b. Improvement and addition of brain cells
2. Why exercise can benefit college students
a. Physical benefits
b. Benefits to learning skills
3. The possible outcomes of the improvements to the mind
a. Learning outcomes can improve grades
b. Approve the retention of knowledge for future

MP 1. How physical exercise can improve the brain.

According to the American InterContinental University,
Exercise can improve cognitive skills such as problem solving, focus, and memory.
Heidi Godman of the Harvard Health Letter also speaks to the outcome of regular aerobic
exercise and the boost to memory and the ability to learn in a classroom. Godman also states that
exercise also can improve the brain cells and increase the growth of more brain cells. It also can
indirectly boost the college student’s mood, healthy sleep pattern, and can lead to less stress and
anxiety common in college students.
MP 2. Why exercise can benefit college students.
College students are busy, and exercise might not seem like an important thing to add into a
schedule, when in fact exercise should be a very important if not vital part of a college student’s
life.

Darla Castelli from the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of
Texas at Austin and her part in the publication of Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research,
exercise also builds muscle, improves the cardiovascular system, and also as stated previously
lowers stress levels. Castelli continues to state how the memory in the classroom is stronger as
long with the improvement to learning which is a common find in this area of research.

MP 3. Outcomes of exercise looking back at what it does for the brain.

College students are very commonly over-stressed. The fact that exercise can lower stress can
help them relax in class more and focus on learning.

From the publication, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Castelli states that studies
have been done and students who exercise, at minimum, two times a week tend to have higher
GPA’s then students who work out less if at all.

Not only does Castelli state the higher GPA outcome but also Adults who work out frequently in
and after college retain more of what they learned in college and use it more effectively in their
daily lives.

Conclusion:

Exercise has many benefits in general to the body and mind. But specifically in college students,
exercise is very important to a healthy college life and productive learning experience.

I am not saying that one can’t succeed in college without working out but to show that through
regular exercise, a college student’s grades and life could be improved. That it can lead to
specifically good grades, but also a better college life and a healthier body.
Work cited:

"5 Reasons College Students Should Make Time For Exercise." 5 Reasons College Students
Should Make Time for Exercise.

Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Health Publications Editor, Executive Editor Harvard
Health Letter, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch, Executive Editor, Harvard
Men's Health Watch, and Executive Editor Harvard Heart Letter. "Regular Exercise Changes the
Brain to Improve Memory, Thinking Skills - Harvard Health Blog."Harvard Health Blog RSS.
N.p., 05 Apr. 2016.

Keating, Deng, Xiaofen, F, Darla Castelli, and F, Suzan Ayers. "Association of Weekly Strength
Exercise Frequency and Academic Performance Among Students at a Large University in the
United States." Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 27.7 (2013):

Parker-Pope, Tara, and TARA PARKER-POPE. "Vigorous Exercise Linked with Better
Grades." The New York Times, (2010): D3.

"The Iron by Henry Rollins." Oldtime Strongman Strength Training Equipment Books and
Courses. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2016.