As millions of children head back to school this month, two new studies show that exercise might help them concentrate in class and overcome common symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While the studies didn't prove that exercise necessarily makes kids smarter, it did show that their ability to focus and absorb information improved after physical activity. Immediately before and after each class, participating children took a written test that is widely accepted as a good indicator of a person’s level of concentration. The biggest improvement in test scores came after a 50 minute, endurance-based gym class, which proved to be more effective than other types of exercise, including hand-eye coordination drills and activities focused on motor skills.

A similar relationship between exercise and job performance has been found in adults as well, and physical activity is increasingly linked to improved workplace productivity. Is your company trying to incorporate more wellness in the workplace? Check out the Society for Human Resource Management's Rules for a Successful Wellness Program:

• Be Relevant – Emphasize the benefits of exercise that are personally or financially meaningful
• Make It Social – Get your employees to work together toward a common wellness goal
• Stay Positive – Take a carrot, not a stick approach to incentives
• Integrate – Make it easy for employees to participate
• Play It Safe – Clearly communicate the guidelines of any wellness program