Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
The Walking Classroom: Measuring the Impact of Physical Activity on Student Cognitive Performance and Mood
Background:
The Walking Classroom is an education program that provides students with an opportunity to accumulate physical activity without losing instructional time.
Method:
This research tests Kuczala's application of kinesthetic learning theory through measuring knowledge retention, postactivity information processing, and mood in students who engage in a short bout of physical activity while listening to Walking Classroom podcasts about language arts, science, and history, and those who remain seated during a podcast, compared with baseline levels. Students from 9 high-poverty fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms (n = 319) in a North Carolina county comprised the sample.
Results:
Utilizing multivariate analysis of covariance, the results demonstrate significantly higher levels of learning while walking compared with learning while sitting. Measures of mood utilizing the 10-item version of the Positive and Negative Affect Scale also demonstrated a significant effect in predicted directions.
Conclusion:
The results support that coupling physical activity with instruction leads to increased performance and mood for elementary school students.
