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Smiles count but minutes matter: responses to classroom exercise breaks
Erin K Howie1, Roger D Newman-Norlund2, Russell R Pate2
1Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Erin.Howie@curtin.edu.au.
Objectives:
To determine the subjective responses of teachers and students to classroom exercise breaks, and how responses varied by duration.
Methods:
This mixed-methods experimental study included focus groups with teachers (N = 8) and 4(th)- and 5(th)-grade students (N = 96). Students participated in 5-, 10-, and 20-minute exercise breaks and 10 minutes of sedentary activity. In an additional exploratory analysis, video-tapes of each condition were coded and compared for positive affect.
Results:
Students and teachers discussed multiple benefits, but teachers discussed barriers to implementing regular breaks of 5-minutes or more. Students exhibited higher positive affect during each exercise condition.
Conclusions:
Classroom exercise breaks are an enjoyable way to increase physical activity, but additional support may be needed to encourage teachers to implement breaks of 5 minutes or longer.
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