Transcript Physical Activity Breaks Do They Work?

Classroom
Physical Activity Breaks
Do They Work?
Rockland County School Health and Wellness Coalition
2014
Kakiat Elementary School
North Rockland High School
Rockland County
School Health and Wellness Coalition
2008 - present
Vision
To have the healthiest students and school communities in the nation
Mission
To educate and provide opportunity for collaboration between
schools, community organizations and businesses
Quarterly meetings
Provide informative presentations featuring community resources and
model school programs and partnerships
Workgroups
Focus on specific projects related to school health
www.rocklandsteps.org go to School Health and Wellness
Purpose of This Presentation:
• To summarize the research on the academic
and health impact of physical activity during
the school day
• To prepare educators to use physical activity
breaks on March Forward, Rockland County’s
school-based physical activity awareness day
• To demonstrate physical activity breaks
educators can use with students any day
Physical Activity and Health
• 1 out of 3 American children and teens are
overweight or obese.
• Most children and teens do not get the
recommended 60 minutes of physical
activity per day.
Physical Activity and Schools
• School-aged children
and teens spend more
than half their waking
hours at school.
• Schools are a prime
location to increase
physical activity.
• There are several
evidence-based
strategies for
increasing physical
activity at school.
Physical Activity and Schools continued
Schools Can Be a Barrier
to Physical Activity
• Children are required to sit
quietly for the majority of
the day to receive academic
instruction.
• Schools may lack adequate
space, equipment and
teacher training.
• Teachers may not prioritize
physical activity.
Physical Activity and Schools continued
Studies show an increase
in academic
achievement when
additional time is
provided for physical
activity, even when
time is removed from
academic instruction.
In one study, a reduction of 240 minutes per week
.in class time for academics to enable increased
physical activity led to higher mathematics scores.
Physical Activity and Schools continued
Benefits of Physical Activity in School:
• There is substantial evidence of a relationship between
physical activity, fitness and improved cognitive and
executive functioning and executive control.
• Physical activity throughout the school day has been
shown to have positive effects on academic
achievement.
• Research worldwide demonstrates a correlation
between overall physical fitness and improved
cognitive functioning.
• Studies show no negative impact of classroom-based
physical activity on academic achievement.
Fitness and Academic Achievement
Correlation between Fitness Standardized Test Scores in
Language Arts
2004 California Study
Figure 1. English-Language Arts Mean Scale Score (California State Test) by the Number of
Fitnessgram® Tests Passed (2004)
360
Mean Scale Score on CA State Test: English/Lang.
Arts
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342
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Grade 5
Grade 7
Grade 9
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320
Population:
Grade 5 (371,198 students)
Grade 7 (366,278 students)
Grade 9 (298,910 students)
300
290
0
Slide courtesy of Paul Zientarski
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Number of Fitnessgram tests passed (out of six)
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Fitness and Academic Achievement
Correlation between Fitness Standardized Test Scores in Math
2004 California Study
Figure 2. Mathematics Mean Scale Score (California State Test) by the
Number of Fitnessgram® Tests Passed (2004)
Mean Scale Score on CA State Test: Math
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346
342
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336
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320
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Grade 5
Grade 7
Grade 9
300
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290
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0
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Number of Fitnessgram® Tests Passed (out of six)
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6
Texas Youth Fitness Study (2007-2008 school year)
Cardiovascular (CV) Fitness Corresponds with Academic Performance when
Schools Stratified by State Rating System
CV Fitness
Texas Assessment
of Knowledge and
Skills (TAKS)
Slide courtesy of Paul Zientarski
Reference: Welk, G. J., Jackson, A. W., Morrow, J. R., Jr., Haskell, W. H., Meredith, M. D., & Cooper, K. H. (2010). The association
of health-related fitness with indicators of academic performance in Texas schools. Res. Q. Exerc. Sport, 81 (3 Suppl):, S16-S23..
Physical Activity Positively
Effects Brain Physiology
Increases:
• Blood flow
• Neuro-chemical production
• Brain volume
Vascular effects
Physical activity affects the
physiology of the brain by
increasing:
• Cerebral capillary growth
• Blood flow
• Oxygenation
Brain chemistry
Physical activity affects the
physiology of the brain by
increasing:
• Production of neurotrophins
• Neurotransmitter levels
• Development of nerve
connections
Brain mass
Physical activity affects
the physiology of the
brain by increasing:
• Growth of nerve cells
in the hippocampus
(center of learning
and memory):
• Density of neural
network
• Brain tissue volume
Correlation Between Fitness and Brain Activity
Higher Fit
Lower Fit
Easy task
Hard task
9 and 10 year olds students
Slide Compliments of Dr. Chuck Hillman University of Illinois
Slide courtesy of Paul Zientarski
Shorter bouts of physical activity improves cognitive processes
central to problem-solving and goal-oriented action, including
response speed and accuracy, and ability to focus.
Some research suggests there
are cognitive benefits to
participation in cognitivelyengaging exercises
Juggling
Hip Hop dancing
“Brain Gym” type activities
Cardiovascular Fitness
The measure of how well the body is able to transport
oxygen to its muscles during prolonged exercise and of how
well the muscles are able to absorb and use the oxygen.
“Consistent exercise, and certain types of
specific exercises, can both temporarily
and permanently affect the way your
brain is able to focus, its ability to deal
with stress and anxiety, and its ability to
learn …
“Exercise is like fertilizer for the
brain … it’s so good, it’s like
Miracle Gro”.
-Dr. John Ratey, Harvard Brain Researcher
www.johnratey.com/newsite/index.html
Physical Activity (PA) in Schools
•
•
•
•
Unstructured Recess
Physical education
PA breaks during class
Physically engaging
lessons
• Physical Activity before
and after school
Evidenced-based PA Programs
for Schools*
•
•
•
•
•
Instant Recess
Take 10!
The Energizers
Happy 10
Promoting Lifestyle
Activity for youth
(PLAY)
• Physical Activity
Across the Curriculum
(PAAC)
• Texas I-Can
• Making the Grade
with Diet and Exercise
• Activity Bursts in the
Classroom for Fitness
(ABC for fitness)
* Reviewed by Active Living Research, Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation
Short Physical Activity (PA) Brain
Breaks Increase PA in Students
• Use of classroom physical
activity programs increased
light to moderate physical
activity among students.
• As a result of classroom PA,
students measured an
increase in their activity
level by approximately 640 –
2,300 steps per day.
Short Physical Activity (PA) Brain
Breaks Increase PA in Students
• Some programs
increased physical
activity among
students on weekends
• Students were more
physically active in
classrooms when they
had physically active
teachers.
Improves Some Measures of Health
One study of “ABC for
Fitness” showed
increase in student
aerobic capacity, body
composition, muscle
strength, endurance
and flexibility.
Improves Some Measures of Health
• Decline in visits to
the school nurse
• One study of “Physical Activity Across the
Curriculum” (PAAC) showed a slowing of BMI
increases with use of 75 minutes of physical activity
a week.
Physical Activity in the Classroom Improves
On-Task Behavior
• Active school lessons
can prevent declines in
on-task behavior
among students
• Overall on-task
behavior increases
• Greatest increase in
on-task behavior is
seen among the least
on-task students.
Physical Activity in the Classroom Improves
On-Task Behavior
• Discipline referrals
decline
• Grades increase
depending on the
physical activity
program reviewed
Summary
Physical Activity Breaks can:
•
•
•
•
Improve overall student behavior
Improve on-task behavior
Improve some measures of health
May encourage more physical activity at
home
• Can lead to increased academic performance
Research publications used in this presentation came from:
•
California School Boards Association
•
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
•
Illinois Public Health Institute
•
Active Living Research
A full bibliography for this presentation is available on the March
Forward website.
Thank you to
•
Nana Koch, Ed.D., Chairperson, Department of Health, Physical
Education and Movement Science, LIU Post
•
Physical Activity Workgroup of the School Coalition
Production credits:
Jim Houston, Rockland BOCES – video production
Carlo Pellegrini, Amazing Grace Circus – voice over
Carrie Steindorff, Rockland County Department of Health – Content
Tips
for Physical Activity Brain Breaks
 Keep it fun or relaxing
 Be enthusiastic
 Make sure the physical activity is appropriate
for the surrounding space
 Developmentally appropriate (see PE teacher
for suggestions)
 Give positive feedback. No “humorous” put
downs.
 Encourage all students in the class to move
during activity breaks, even those with
limitations.
March Forward
March Forward
1. Teachers engage students in at least 5 minutes of physical
activity in each class (middle and high school) or throughout
the day (elementary school).
2. Recognition given to:
– Schools with the most number of minutes of physical activity (not
including recess and PE) by school population size
– Schools with the highest number of minutes of physical activity per
student by grade level (Elementary, Middle and High School)
Talking Points to Share
with Students on March Forward
• Physical activity helps you look and
feel your best.
• Being physically active and
physically fit helps you do better in
school.
• It is a great way to make friends and
stay healthy.
• Children and teens should get at
least 60 minutes of physical activity
each day.
Live Demonstrations of Physical
Activity Breaks
• All Grades - Mariola Strahlberg, Five Star©
Program, Shining Mountain Center for
Peaceful Childhood, Chestnut Ridge, NY
• 4-6 - Paul Mindich, Kakiat Elementary
School, Spring Valley, NY
• 7-8 - Carlo Pellegrini, Director, Amazing
Grace Circus, Nyack, NY
• 9-10 - Barry Baloga, North Rockland High
School, Thiells, NY