CHILDREN who exercise regularly are likely to feel more confident, researchers say.

Experts at Manchester Metropolitan University have been studying the effects of activity on classroom performance and behaviour.

They say that PE and out- of-school sport can boost children's confidence at a time when many are likely to suffer a drop in self-esteem.

Psychologists have studied students at Wright Robinson College in Gorton for nearly a decade. The M.E.N. has reported how the research has led to changes in the curriculum to make it easier for children to learn. The findings could now be applied to other schools

The university team asked one year group of 360 students to take part in a questionnaire throughout their school career.

The five-year study showed that girls were more likely to experience a sharp fall in self-worth between the ages of 11-16.

This happened at the same time that girls became less active, although boys continued to take part in exercise.

As well as being self-conscious, girls were less likely to take part in activities because they valued academic success over sporting achievement.

Dr Gill Burgess said many teenagers were likely to feel awkward as they became more body conscious. She said: "We found that as they get older, girls' physical self-worth begins to decline, particularly in the Year 9 to 11 group.

"That was a time when physical activity declined as well. Children who become less physically active tend to suffer lower self-worth. It is an age when girls are body conscious and many do not view excelling at sport as important.

"Some games are highly competitive and a lot of girls don't see themselves as being competent at sport. We have been recommending that more is done to make PE more flexible and to offer different activities."