Prof. Dr. Gıyasettin Demirhan is a faculty member at Hacettepe University in the Faculty of Sport Sciences, where he serves as the Head of the Physical Education and Sport Teacher Education Department. He is an active member of both international and national scientific and professional associations, including the Global Community Health Foundation (GCH), the World Leisure Organization (WLO), and the World Director Board of FIEPS. His affiliations also include the Association Internationale des Écoles Supérieures d’Éducation Physique (AIESEP), the Fédération Internationale d’Éducation Physique (FIEPS), the World Physical Education Alliance (WPEA), the Turkish Sports Science Association (SBD), the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TMOK), the Turkish Sports Volunteers Association (SGD), and the Turkish Mountaineering Federation. Prof. Demirhan's research interests encompass critical thinking, information communication technologies, the relationship between physical activity and academic performance or cognitive functions, and risk perception in outdoor-adventure sports and activities. He is also passionate about the philosophy of science and the ethics of scholarly and scientific publishing. With extensive experience in outdoor activities, he has engaged in mountaineering, trekking, hiking, mountain skiing, photography, and nature tourism for many years. His academic contributions include 42 articles published in international refereed journals and 55 articles in national refereed journals, along with two books and 22 book chapters focused on physical education and sports sciences. He has presented over 125 papers at international and national scientific congresses and has completed 25 research projects in his field. Moreover, he has been a keynote and invited speaker at various national and international scientific meetings, and he has organized more than 30 such events. Prof. Demirhan served as the editor of the Hacettepe Journal of Sport Sciences (TR Index) for many years and currently holds the position of field editor for Physical Education and Sports in the Education and Science journal (WoS). He is also an academic advisor for numerous international and national scientific journals and acts as a referee for various publications. His work has garnered over 4,000 citations on Google Scholar and more than 500 in WoS and Scopus.

The Surprising Connection and Impact of Physical Activity on Cognitive Function and Academic Achievement

This presentation aims to explain the effects of physical activity on brain function and academic achievement. The content of the presentation is based on current literature and our research. Combining neuroscience, psychology, and educational science helps clarify the important effects of physical activity on mental functions and academic achievement. Physical activity improves cognitive functions and academic achievement through various interconnected mechanisms. From a neurophysiological perspective, exercise stimulates neuroplasticity and cognitive development by increasing blood flow and oxygen levels to the brain and promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Psychologically, it enhances executive functions such as attention, working memory, and inhibitory control, which are essential for academic achievement. Additionally, physical activity positively affects mood by lowering cortisol levels while increasing serotonin and dopamine levels. When these factors come together, physical activity enhances mental clarity, supports learning, and promotes academic achievement. Various academic resources indicate that physical activity can improve brain function and enhance academic achievement. Numerous research findings demonstrate a beneficial connection between physical activity, cognitive function, and academic achievement.