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Classroom-based physical activity improves children's math achievement - A randomized controlled trial.

Mona Have1, Jacob Have Nielsen1, Martin Thomsen Ernst1

  • 1Centre of Research in Childhood Health, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern, Odense, Denmark.

Plos One
|December 18, 2018
PubMed
Summary
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Integrating physical activity (PA) into math lessons significantly improved elementary students' math achievement. This 9-month intervention enhanced academic performance without impacting executive functions, fitness, or BMI.

Area of Science:

  • Pedagogy and Educational Psychology
  • Child Health and Development
  • Exercise Science

Background:

  • Academic achievement is a key focus in elementary education.
  • The role of physical activity (PA) in cognitive development is increasingly recognized.
  • Integrating movement into classroom settings presents a novel approach to enhance learning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of incorporating physical activity into mathematics lessons on children's academic performance.
  • To assess secondary outcomes including executive functions, fitness levels, and body mass index (BMI) in children participating in the intervention.
  • To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a school-based physical activity intervention.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 505 children aged approximately 7 years across 12 Danish schools.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Schools were randomized into either an intervention group (PA integrated into math lessons) or a control group.
  • Outcomes measured included standardized math tests, executive function tasks, aerobic fitness tests, BMI, and accelerometry-based physical activity monitoring.

    • Main Results:

    • Children in the intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement in math scores compared to the control group (p = 0.011).
    • A trend towards increased physical activity levels during math lessons was observed in the intervention group (p = 0.067).
    • No significant effects were found on executive functions, aerobic fitness, or body mass index.

    Conclusions:

    • Integrating physical activity into elementary school math lessons can enhance mathematical achievement.
    • While this intervention improved academic outcomes, it did not significantly affect executive functions, fitness, or BMI.
    • School-based physical activity interventions hold potential for improving academic success and warrant further investigation.