Impact of Active Breaks in the Classroom on Mathematical Performance and Attention in Elementary School Children

Background: The increasing need to face the problem of sedentarism, especially in the COVID-19 era, induced teachers and researchers to find new intervention methodologies in school context. Active breaks (ABs) include brief periods of physical activity as a part of the curriculum. This study aimed to investigate the AB acute responses on attentive skills and mathematical performance and attention in a primary school. Methods: A total of 141 children (aged 9.61 ± 0.82), divided into six classes, participated in this study. Each class was randomly assigned to three groups on the basis of the type of protocol performed during the three ABs scheduled in a school day: fitness (FIT), creativity (CREAT), and control group (CON). At baseline and at the end of interventions, all participants underwent the Stroop Color and Word test (SCWT) and the math test (MATH) to assess the level of attention and mathematical performance, respectively. The degree of enjoyment was evaluated through the modified Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. Results: The factorial ANOVA showed significant differences between the FIT and CON in MATH test (p = 0.023) and SCWT (p = 0.034). CREAT and FIT groups showed higher degree of enjoyment than the CON (both ps < 0.001). Conclusions: This study showed a positive acute impact of AB interventions. FIT positively influenced attentive and math performances more than the CREAT, probably due to the correct work/rest ratio and executive rhythm that allowed children to reach a good level of exertion. This report showed that ABs can be a useful and productive activity to be performed between curricular lessons.

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The Effects of Brain Breaks on Motives of Participation in Physical Activity among Primary School Children in Malaysia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16132331 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (13) ◽

pp. 2331 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mawar Siti Hajar ◽

Hussein Rizal ◽

Yee Cheng Kueh ◽

Ayu Suzailiana Muhamad ◽

Garry Kuan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Factorial Anova ◽

Significant Downward Trend ◽

Brain Breaks ◽

And Control

Brain breaks is a physical activity (PA) video designed for school settings that is used to stimulate student’s health and learning. The purpose of this study is to measure the effects of brain breaks on motives of participation in PA among primary school children in Malaysia. Purposive sampling was used to divide 159 male and 176 female students aged 10 to 11 years old, mean (standard deviation (SD)) = 10.51 (0.50), from two schools in Kelantan, Malaysia into intervention (n = 183) and control (n = 152) groups. Students undertook brain breaks activities on school days (five minutes per session) spread out for a period of four months. Mixed factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the students’ motives of participation in PA for pre-, mid-, and post-tests using the Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale-Youth-Malay (PALMS-Y-M). Mixed factorial ANOVA showed significant changes in enjoyment, F(2, 392) = 8.720, p-value (ηp2) = 0.001 (0.043); competitiveness, F(2, 195) = 4.364, p-value (ηp2) = 0.014 (0.043); appearance, F(2, 392) = 5.709, p-value (ηp2) = 0.004 (0.028); and psychological condition, F(2, 392) = 4.376, p-value (ηp2) = 0.013 (0.022), whereas mastery, affiliation, and physical condition were not significant (p < 0.05). Further post-hoc analysis revealed a significant downward trend in the control group (p < 0.05). Brain breaks is successful in maintaining students’ motives for PA in four of the seven factors.

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Classroom Active Breaks to Increase Children’s Physical Activity: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Province of Naples, Italy

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17186599 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (18) ◽

pp. 6599

Author(s):

Francesca Gallè ◽

Pierluigi Pecoraro ◽

Patrizia Calella ◽

Giuseppe Cerullo ◽

Maria Imoletti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Weight Status ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Third Grade ◽

Control Group ◽

School Day ◽

Active Breaks

Background: Classroom Active Breaks (CABs), short active sessions integrated in the school time, have been recognized as a promising tool to reduce sedentary behavior and increase Physical Activity (PA) levels in children. “AulAttiva” is a six-month CABs-based program implemented in primary schools of the province of Naples. The aim of this study was to evaluate its effectiveness by comparing PA and sedentary time of participating pupils respect to a control group, considering also their weight status. Methods: Four third-grade classes, each from 4 schools out of 32 participating in AulAttiva, and 4 third-grade classes, each from 4 schools out of 74 that did not take part, were randomly selected. Finally, 58 children composed the intervention group and 57 the control group. Age, gender, weight and height were registered for each participant. Weight status was classified as non-overweight and overweight/obesity. Sedentary time and PA were assessed through accelerometers along a school day. Results: Light PA was 4 min higher in the AulAttiva group with respect to controls (p = 0.046). Within the non-overweight children, the AulAttiva group spent less time in sedentary behavior and more time in light and total PA than controls. No significant differences were found between the overweight/obese subgroups. Conclusions: The results support the effectiveness of CABs in increasing PA during the school day. Greater effects were registered among normal weight pupils, suggesting the possible influence of weight status on children’s participation to the intervention. Further studies are needed to improve the compliance of overweight/obese children to this intervention.

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Influence of Frequency and Time Implications on Efficacy of Primary School Active Break Programs

Ukraïnsʹkij žurnal medicini bìologìï ta sportu ◽

10.26693/jmbs06.05.465 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 465-472

Author(s):

Mohammed Zerf ◽

◽

Guebli Abdelkader ◽

Hadjar Kherfane Mohamed

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary School ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Physical Activity Program ◽

Control Group ◽

Time Frequency ◽

Activity Program ◽

School Day ◽

Group 2 ◽

Active Breaks

Classroom-based physical activity breaks are suggested to positively impact children's attention during their school day. Frequency and time implications are important as decisive factors in structuring primary school active break programs. The purpose of the study was to research the influence of frequency and time implications on efficacy of primary school active break programs. Materials and methods. This academic survey was admitted as the first Algerian pilot research among primary schools. Its appointment aims are to test the effect of frequency and time implications as decisive factors in structuring primary school active break programs. 4 teachers and 5-grade class levels took part in the study. A total of 180 children (100 girls and 80 boys), 45 in each class were involved in the study. The average age of the participants was 10.4±0.61 years old. All participants provided their written consent to attend the study. The ethics committee of Physical Education Institute, University of Abdel Hamid Ibn Badis Mostaganem had also given its approval. All children were divided in four groups. Group 1 (20 boys and 25 girls) had 2 minutes of exercise every 20 minutes of siting. Group 2 (19 boys and 26 girls) had 6 minutes of exercise for every 1-hour of sitting. Group 3 (19 boys and 26 girls) had 9-minute traditional Active Breaks Classroom-Based Physical Activity program integrated within regular day school break periods. Group 4 was a control one with no Active Breaks Classroom-Based Physical Activity program. All teachers, who voluntarily accepted to be engaged in this experience, were asked to apply the video-based physical activity appropriate for their students according to the model and content (time-frequency) and they encouraged their students to replicate their daily base-physical-activity as proposed. Push, pull, squat, standing chair single-leg balance, flexibility, self-myofascial release and static stretching were used as a complimentary physical activity program. Results and discussion. This study focuses on three frequencies and time implications of proposed Active Break Physical Classroom Routine. The test confirmed the benefits of active breaks program in groups. The higher scores than in the control group were recorded in the post-tests. This study explains it by the complementary time practised by experimental groups according to Active Breaks Classroom-Based Physical Activity program. Clear significant inverse correlations were established between the active-standing time involved and classroom inactive time chair sitting. Conclusion. The results of the study confirmed that it is more useful to use the short break program no longer than 5 minutes, frequently repeated with 2 minutes, after every 20 minutes of prolonged static setting. It has to be used as the prominent strategy for structuring the feasible and potential efficacy of primary school Active Break Program. This model is able to decrease sedentary time and increase daily energy expenditure

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Mobilizing preconsciousness social messages: A mixed research on teaching staffBilinç öncesi sosyal mesajların harekete geçirilmesi: Öğretim elemanları üzerine karma araştırma

Journal of Human Sciences ◽

10.14687/ijhs.v13i1.3733 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 1831

Author(s):

Süreyya Karsu ◽

Meftune Özbakır Umut ◽

Meltem Nurtanış Velioğlu ◽

Sertaç Çifci ◽

Yusuf Volkan Topuz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Control Group ◽

Teaching Staff ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Control Groups ◽

Affect Control ◽

Research On Teaching ◽

Social Messages ◽

And Control

The purpose of the study is to reveal whether the preconscious messages which are given as social messages to teaching staff, will cause any change in their physical activity habits. And to suggest social marketing strategies which are required to be developed in that direction. The mixed research method and triangulation model were both used in the study. The teaching staff of AİBÜ Gölköy Campus were the main mass and the study was conducted around 15th January 2015- 25th May 2015. Convenience sampling method was utilized from non-random sampling methods. According to findings of mix research, “both experimental and control groups had awareness on physical activity and they were both affected to valuate themselves on physical activity levels” were concluded. Beside these, another major conclusion was; the preconscious messages which are given to affect control groups’ physical activity habits had negative impact on control group. ÖzetÇalışmanın amacı, öğretim elemanlarına sosyal mesaj olarak verilen bilinç öncesi mesajların fiziksel aktivite alışkanlıkları üzerinde değişim yaratıp yaratmayacağını ortaya koymak, bu yönde gerekli sosyal pazarlama stratejilerinin geliştirilmesinde önerilerde bulunmaktır. Araştırmada, karma araştırma yöntemi ve çeşitleme modelinden yararlanılmıştır. Araştırmada tesadüfi olmayan örnekleme yöntemlerinden, kolayda örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma AİBÜ Gölköy Yerleşkesi’nde 15 Ocak 2015-25 Mayıs 2015 tarihlerinde yürütülmüştür. Uygulanan karma araştırma yöntemi sonucunda hem deney, hem kontrol grubu için fiziksel aktivite konusunda farkındalık ve katılımcıların kendilerini fiziksel aktivite düzeyleri konusunda değerlendirmeleri açısından etki yarattığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Önemli bir diğer sonuç da bilinç öncesi mesajların fiziksel aktivite alışkanlığını etkileme boyutunda deney grubu üzerinde negatif etki yarattığıdır.

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Physically Active Breaks in the Teaching Process

Collegium Antropologicum ◽

10.5671/ca.45.3.7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 45 (3) ◽

pp. 235-242

Author(s):

Ivan Holik ◽

Vesna Štemberger ◽

Petra Pejić Papak ◽

Vilko Petrić ◽

Matea Kitak

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Educational Achievement ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Educational Process ◽

T Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Teaching Process ◽

Physically Active ◽

Active Breaks ◽

The Impact

The aim of this research is to study the impact of physically active breaks, accompanied by video materials, on the level of pupils’ educational achievement and their attitudes toward physically active breaks during the teaching process in the classroom. The research lasted for two months, and the apposite sample consisted of a total of 38 pupils aged 10 to 11. The influence of physically active breaks on the educational achievement was estimated by the percentage of correct answers in the tasks of mathematics, while the Croatian version of the questionnaire Attitudes towards the Physical Activity Scale (APAS) was used for evaluating the attitudes toward physically active breaks with video materials. Differ ences between the initial and final measuring inside the same group were tested by the Student’s dependent sample t-test, while for differences between the experimental and control group the Student’s independent sample t-test was used. The obtained results showed that the ability to solve mathematical tasks in the experimental group has significantly improved when compared to the control one and that physically active breaks have a positive influence on the pupils’ attitudes toward physical activity. The implementation of physically active breaks into teaching has an impact on pupils’ productivity in the educational process, while at the same time their need for movement is fulfilled.

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Active School Lesson Breaks Increase Daily Vigorous Physical Activity, but Not Daily Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Elementary School Boys

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.2016-0057 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 145-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Andrew N. Wilson ◽

Timothy Olds ◽

Kurt Lushington ◽

Somayeh Parvazian ◽

James Dollman

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Elementary School ◽

Elementary School Students ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Classroom Behaviors ◽

School Students ◽

Type Method ◽

Modest Increase ◽

School Day ◽

And Control

Purpose:Brief classroom-based episodes of physical activity (active lesson breaks, ALBs) have improved schoolchildren’s classroom behaviors in some studies, and may also increase the likelihood of children meeting the recommended daily minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, there is emerging evidence that increases in physical activity at particular times of the day may lead to compensatory declines at other times. This study explored evidence for compensatory declines in response to a 10 min ALB during the school day.Method:Thirty-eight 12-year-old boys from a single elementary school completed intervention and control conditions in a cross-over design, with each phase lasting one week. The intervention consisted of a single 10-min active lesson break delivered on each of three days in the intervention week. Twenty-four hour accelerometry was used to quantify moderate and vigorous physical activity.Results:ALBs increased in-school MVPA by 5.8 min (p < .0001), but overall daily MVPA was similar between intervention and control conditions (77.2 vs 77.4 min/d, p > .05), However, vigorous physical activity increased significantly over the whole day (11.2 vs 8.9 min, p = .0006).Conclusion:A brief episode of classroom-based play led to a modest increase in vigorous physical activity in elementary school students, but did not increase MVPA across the day.

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Investigating the Effect of Positive, Intermediate and Negative Enabling and Training Factors Affecting Physical Activity in Pregnant Women

10.21203/rs.3.rs-151184/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Leila Kianfard ◽

Farkhonde Amin SHokravi ◽

Sakineh Rakhshanderou ◽

Shamsaddin Niknami

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

Enabling Factors ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Significant Difference ◽

E Learning ◽

And Control ◽

Experimental Group

Abstract BackgroundPhysical activity during pregnancy period is one of the issues with priority during pregnancy period. Researches show that women reduce their physical activity during this period and are unaware of the benefits on the health of the mother and embryology. Although researchers regarding physical activity during pregnancy have prepared many guidelines; it is not however clear why pregnant women do not perform physical activity and the effectiveness factors that facilitate the desired behavior. MethodsThe research population included all pregnant women aged 18 to 40 years with gestational age of 12-38 weeks referring to the healthcare centers in District 5 of Tehran Municipality, from 22 districts of the city who had eliminated their physical activity during pregnancy. Questionnaires of physical activity assessment questionnaire after educational intervention in pregnant women (PPAQ) and a questionnaire designed based on the results of the needs assessment and the dimensions of the PEN-3 model were used for assessment. This study is a Research Clinical Trial (RCT). Due to the nature, a quasi-experimental research design (pre-test, post-test) with the control group was used in this research. ResultsBased on the obtained results, the intervention based on E-learning has a significant effect of enabling factors to increase physical activity in pregnant women in the experimental group. In addition, the intervention based on E-learning has a significant effect on the training factors in order to increase physical activity in pregnant women in the experimental group. ConclusionBased on the research results, it can be said that there is a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the scores obtained from training factors in the pretest and the experimental group. Furthermore, it can be said that there is a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the scores obtained from the enabling factors in the pre-test and the experimental group.

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Effects of a Curriculum-Integrated Dance Program on Children’s Physical Activity

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0164 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 1179-1183

Author(s):

Geeta Sharma ◽

Tom Stewart ◽

Scott Duncan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

New Zealand ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

Intervention Effects ◽

Future Studies ◽

School Time ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

Background: Curriculum-integrated dance programs are a promising but relatively under-researched strategy for increasing children’s physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a curriculum-integrated dance program on children’s PA. Methods: A total of 134 primary children aged 7–9 years from 4 New Zealand schools were assigned to either a dance group (n = 78) or a control group (n = 56). The dance group participated in a 6-week curriculum-integrated dance program during school time. Although the dance program focused on curricular learning, fitness and coordination were embedded in the dance sessions. Intensity of PA varied according to the focus of each dance session. PA was measured at baseline and postintervention using a waist-mounted ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer for 8 consecutive days. Results: There were no significant intervention effects on PA levels between the dance and control groups postintervention. Conclusion: Dance-embedded learning did not increase overall levels of PA in this study. Future studies may consider assessing longer term effects of a dance-based intervention, or programs that place more focus on PA promotion.

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Effect of Games Including Physical Activity on Digital Game Addiction of 11-14 Age Group Middle-School Students

Journal of Education and Training Studies ◽

10.11114/jets.v6i11.3645 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (11) ◽

pp. 243 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zekihan Hazar ◽

Muhsin Hazar

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Test Scores ◽

Control Group ◽

Age Group ◽

Digital Game ◽

School Students ◽

Game Addiction ◽

Post Test ◽

And Control ◽

Experimental Group

In this study, it was investigated that effect of games including physical activity on digital game addiction of 11-14 age group middle-school students. Along with the determination of digital game addiction, conducting applied experimental study is important regarding showing results of application with theoretical knowledge towards solving problem. Within this framework, it was thought that “games including physical activity” will be important tool for decreasing the level of digital game addiction. Experimental Design method was used in the study in which was adopted Quantitative Research model. When 11-14 age group students who addicted digital games consisted of the population of the study, the sample of the study consisted of 29 girls and 51 boys who have studied. In the study, personal information form and digital game addiction scale that was developed by the researcher were used as measurement tools. During data collection period, by accepting applied pre-test to students as criterion sample process, students who have high addiction level (total scale score is 49 and above) were detected and control (n = 40) and experimental (n = 40) groups were created with unbiased assignment method. After the 12-weeks period “games including physical activity” training, the data which was collected from the control and experimental groups by taking post-test data was evaluated with SPSS 20 packaged software. It was found that there was a significant difference between pre-test and post-test of both sub-dimensions and total addiction scores and post-test scores were lower than pre-test scores. It was shown that post-test addiction scores were significantly higher than pre-test addiction scores in control group. When investigating post-test addiction scores of control and experiment groups, it was shown that addiction level of experimental group significantly decrease comparing control group. It was determined that pre-test/post-test scores of experimental group students did not show significant differences in terms of gender, age, education level of mothers, education level of fathers, number of siblings. It was also found that pre-test/post-test addiction scores of experimental and control groups showed significant differences regarding playing digital game duration. When playing digital game duration decreased in experimental group, playing game duration increased in control group. Therefore, it was concluded that addiction levels of students who are digital game addict decreased because of interesting games including physical activity. As a result; physical moving games and sports can be said to be an important tool in dealing with digital game addiction. It can also be said that an important way to protect children from such addictions is to do sports.

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Psychological Effects of Motivational Aquatic Resistance Interval Training and Nutritional Education in Older Women

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9121665 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 1665

Author(s):

Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez ◽

Bernardo José Cuestas-Calero ◽

José Manuel García-De Frutos ◽

Pablo Jorge Marcos-Pardo

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Intrinsic Motivation ◽

Autonomy Support ◽

Interval Training ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

Control Group ◽

Positive Effects ◽

And Control

Several studies have demonstrated the positive effects of physical exercise programs on physical and mental health throughout life. It is necessary to know the factors that contribute to the well-being of older adults in order to achieve healthy aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between well-being perception and the use of autonomy supportive coaching behaviours across a motivational aquatic resistance interval training program. Thirty-four women over 65 years of age from the province of Alicante, Spain, participated, and were randomly assigned to: motivational aquatic resistance interval training group (MART; age: 69.6 ± 5.01 years, height: 1.62 ± 7.88 m, weight: 75.3 ± 12.8 kg) and control group (CG; age: 67.7 ± 3.60 years, height: 1.54 ± 5.47 m, weight: 66.9 ± 10.2 kg). The MART program was conducted for 14 weeks, with three training sessions/week. The CG did not perform any physical activity during the study. Perception of autonomy support was assessed through the Autonomy-Supportive Coaching Questionnaire (ASCQ), Psychological needs by the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale (BPNES), Intrinsic motivation to exercise was assessed through Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) and Perception of Physical Activity by the International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). In MART, compared to CG, significant differences were observed in BPNS, IMI and IPAQ questionnaires used, except in the ASCQ. The differences were significant in all three cases in BPNS (p < 0.05 in autonomy and competence and p = 0.001 in relationship with others), obtaining better scores after intervention than previously. As for the IMI scale, significant differences were also obtained in both subscales. The level of physical activity also improved significantly, with higher scores on the IPAQ after the intervention than before (p < 0.001). In conclusion, when practitioners perceive greater well-being, satisfaction of their basic psychological needs, greater self-selection, volition, and autonomy instead of pressure, demand and control, the result is better behaviour with greater psychological well-being, adherence and consequent health benefits.

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