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Enhancing Academic Performance, Cognitive Functions, and Mental Well-Being Through Active Breaks: Evidence from a
Francesca Latino1, Francesco Tafuri2, Mariam Maisuradze3
1Department of Education and Sport Sciences, Pegaso University, 80143 Naples, Italy.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|November 27, 2025
Summary
Daily active breaks significantly improved business students' resilience, decision-making, and overall well-being. These brief physical activities also enhanced cognitive function and stress regulation, promoting holistic health.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Psychophysiology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Psychophysical well-being is crucial for quality of life and academic success.
- Active breaks, short physical activities during study, are emerging as a strategy for emotional and cognitive support.
- This study investigated the effects of active breaks on business students' resilience, decision-making, well-being, and autonomic regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a 12-week active break intervention on psychological, cognitive, and physiological variables in business students.
- To assess the role of active breaks in enhancing resilience, decision-making skills, and psychophysical well-being.
- To examine the effects of active breaks on autonomic regulation through heart rate variability and recovery.
Main Methods:
- An experimental design involved an intervention group taking daily active breaks and a control group maintaining regular routines for 12 weeks.
- Psychometric assessments included the CD-RISC, DMC Test, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Stroop Test.
- Physiological measures comprised heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate recovery (HRR), assessed pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in psychological resilience, decision-making ability, and overall psychophysical well-being.
- Cognitive performance showed enhancement, evidenced by improved scores on the Stroop Test.
- Physiological outcomes indicated enhanced autonomic balance and stress regulation, with increases in HRV and HRR.
Conclusions:
- Active breaks represent a practical and effective method for fostering students' holistic well-being, integrating psychological and cognitive benefits.
- This intervention prepares future professionals to better manage stress and sustain performance in demanding academic and professional settings.
- The findings support the integration of active breaks into educational curricula to promote student health and academic achievement.
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