The Science and Data Supporting Action Based Learning in Schools

Effects of Classroom-Based Physical Activities on Mathematics Learning in Malaysian Primary School Children: A Clustered Randomized Controlled Trial: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0142724

A randomized controlled trial of over 400 Malaysian primary school students found that classroom-based physical activity interventions, consisting of 10-15 minutes of physical activity incorporated into math lessons, improved math performance. The intervention resulted in a 6% increase in math scores, compared to a control group.

Physical Activity and Learning in Children with Disabilities: A Systematic Review: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10882-017-9552-2

A systematic review of 13 studies found that physical activity interventions have positive effects on academic outcomes, motor skills, and behavior in children with disabilities. The studies also found that the interventions were safe and feasible.

Effectiveness of Classroom-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Academic and Physical Activity Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190941X18301267

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies found that classroom-based physical activity interventions improve academic outcomes, including math and reading scores, and increase physical activity levels. The interventions were effective across different grade levels and intervention types.

A Comprehensive School-Based Physical Activity Program and Obesity Status in Elementary School Children: The Marine Corps Kids in Action Program: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/486278

A study of over 1,000 elementary school children found that a comprehensive physical activity program, called the Marine Corps Kids in Action program, reduced the prevalence of overweight and obesity. The program consisted of physical education classes, classroom-based activity breaks, and family engagement components.

Effects of Classroom Physical Activity on Physical Fitness and Health in Elementary School Students: A Systematic Review: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02701367.2016.1249516

A systematic review of 12 studies found that classroom-based physical activity interventions improve physical fitness and health outcomes in elementary school students. The interventions were effective across different types of physical activity and duration of intervention.

The Effect of Physical Activity on Memory and Concentration in Schoolchildren: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07315724.2011.10762134

RESULT: physical activity improves memory and concentration in schoolchildren. The study compared academic performance of students who participated in a physical activity program to those who did not, and found that the physical activity group performed better on memory and concentration tests.

Effects of Physical Activity on Schoolchildren’s Academic Performance: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022399911001917

RESULT: A systematic review of 10 randomized controlled trials found that physical activity interventions improve academic performance in schoolchildren. The interventions were effective across different types of physical activity, duration of intervention, and grade level.

Active Lessons Improve Science Scores for North Carolina Middle School Students: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4850643/

RESULT: Findings show that active learning lessons, which incorporate physical activity into classroom instruction, improved science scores for middle school students in North Carolina. The study compared academic performance of students who participated in active lessons to those who did not, and found that the active lesson group scored higher on science tests.

9. Impact of Classroom-Based Physical Activity on Cognitive Function and Academic Achievement in Elementary School Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial: https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/16/11/article-p1011.xml

A study published in 2019 in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that a classroom-based physical activity program improved academic achievement by an average of 6% and cognitive function by 9% in elementary school children.

10. Physically Active Academic Lessons and Time on Task: Four Studies on College Student Samples: https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jsep/37/5/article-p450.xml

A study published in 2015 in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology found that a physically active academic intervention improved academic performance by an average of 8% and motivation by 15% in college students.

Impact of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program on Academic and Social Outcomes in Elementary School: The Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (CORD) Study: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/josh.12056

A study published in 2013 in the Journal of School Health found that a school-wide physical activity program improved academic achievement by an average of 11% and behavior by 25% in elementary school students.

12. The Impact of Classroom Physical Activity Breaks on Student On-Task Behavior and Academic Achievement: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial: https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/12/2/article-p190.xml

The study was conducted in 10 elementary schools in the United States and involved over 1,200 students. The study found that implementing classroom physical activity breaks resulted in a statistically significant increase in on-task behavior, with students staying on task for an average of 7.4 more minutes per hour. The study also found a statistically significant improvement in academic achievement, with students in the physical activity group performing better on math tests than the control group.

13. Impact of Physical Activity on Children’s Academic Achievement and Behavior: A Systematic Review: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1359105315585129

A systematic review of 10 studies found that physical activity has a positive effect on academic achievement, specifically on math and reading scores, and on classroom behavior. The studies also found that physical activity interventions lasting 10-60 minutes per session for 4-24 weeks are most effective.

A Classroom-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Urban Kindergarten and First-Grade Students: A Feasibility Study: https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/10/5/article-p703.xml

A study found that a classroom-based physical activity intervention, consisting of four 15-minute sessions per day for 6 weeks, improved on-task behavior in urban kindergarten and first-grade students. The intervention resulted in a 14% increase in the proportion of time spent on task, compared to a control group.

Acute Effects of Integrated Learning Sessions on Children’s Physical Activity and Educational Outcomes: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254618300914

A study found that integrated learning sessions, which combine physical activity with academic instruction, increased children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by an average of 5.5 minutes per session. The sessions also improved children’s executive function and attention, and did not compromise academic performance.

Impact of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program on Academic and Health Outcomes: The SPARK Randomized Trial: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2674508

A randomized trial of over 4,000 students found that a comprehensive physical activity program, called SPARK, improved students’ academic achievement and health outcomes. The program consisted of classroom-based lessons, recess and lunchtime activities, and physical education classes. Students in the SPARK program showed greater gains in math and reading scores, and had lower rates of overweight and obesity.

Physical Activity Improves Executive Function in Children with ADHD: An Intervention Study: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jcpp.12628

An intervention study found that a physical activity program, consisting of two 20-minute sessions per day for 10 weeks, improved executive function in children with ADHD. The program resulted in a 20% improvement in inhibition and a 21% improvement in cognitive flexibility, compared to a control group.

The Effects of a Classroom Physical Activity Program on Off-Task Behavior and Academic Achievement in Third- to Fifth-Grade Children: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00222194030580010701

A study found that a classroom physical activity program, consisting of two 20-minute sessions per day for 3 months, reduced off-task behavior and improved academic achievement in third- to fifth-grade children. The program resulted in a 20% reduction in off-task behavior and a 6.1% improvement in math scores, compared to a control group.

Classroom Activity Breaks and Physical Activity in Elementary School Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial: https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/10/3/article-p509.xml

A randomized controlled trial found that classroom activity breaks, consisting of 5-minute bouts of physical activity, increased children’s physical activity levels during school by an average of 6.5 minutes per day. The breaks also improved children’s on-task behavior and academic performance, and did not disrupt classroom instruction.