... on its impact on academic achievement. Therefore, the role of the physical education and health teacher with the classroom teachers could be reconsidered.
Improving academic achievement through physical activity before class Berrigan Félix, Turcotte Sylvain, Beaudoin Sylvie, Gignac Catherine and Bernier Pierre‐Michel Faculté des sciences de l’activité physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
Objective
Introduction
The objective of our study was to examine the effects of a daily 20 minutes physical activity program led by classroom teachers on the emergence of factors that predispose students to academic learning.
Classroom teachers are faced with a busy school curriculum, which they identify as a barrier to physical activity (PA) promotion in the school setting (Lounsbery et al., 2011).
Methods
Mathematics Science and Technology English Social Studies Languages
Children (n) 70 56
Boys Girls ‐ 2 weeks Familiarization
Week 1 Program removed
Age (range) 6.2‐12.6 y
Week 2 PA program
Week 3 Program removed
Week 4 PA program
Attention
Motor skills
Visual discrimination task
PA and class behavior Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers
Results On average, 43% of the 20 minutes of physical activity was moderate to vigorous physical activity. Attention scores were significantly higher when physical activity took place before class for 1st and 2nd grade students and remained the same for older students. During class periods, the intensity of movements was lower on days in Finally, a higher motor skills score on the TGMD2 was which the physical activity program had taken place, suggesting that significantly correlated with better scores on the attention test students were more calm. after controlling for age and sex.
Movement intensity with and without physical activity
Relationship between motor skills and attention 90
900 Lunch
Physical activity period
80 Lower movement intensity during class periods
700
Motor skills score
Movement intensity (counts)
R² = 0.0661
Recess
800
600 500 400
70
60
50
300 40 200 100
30 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
0.25
Mean movement intensity for one class throughout a school day (20 min periods)
0.35
0.45
0.55
0.65
0.75
0.85
0.95
Attention score (%)
Conclusion
Integrating physical activity during school promotes the emergence of factors that predispose students to academic learning. Consequently, promoting PA among classroom teachers should focus on its impact on academic achievement. Therefore, the role of the physical education and health teacher with the classroom teachers could be reconsidered. References Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. (2011). School health guidelines to promote healthy eating and physical activity. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 60, 1‐76. Lounsbery, M.A.F., et al. (2011) Facilitators and barriers to adopting evidence‐based physical education in elementary schools. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 8 (s1), S17‐S25. Ulrich, D. A. (2000). The test of gross motor development (2nd ed.). Austin, TX: Pro‐ed.
