Effects of physical activity and breaks on mathematics engagement in adolescents

RIS ID

115543

Publication Details

Owen, K. B., Parker, P. D., Astell-Burt, T. & Lonsdale, C. (2018). Effects of physical activity and breaks on mathematics engagement in adolescents. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21 (1), 63-68.

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine whether physical activity has a positive relationship with school engagement regardless of the presence or absence of a recess or lunch break before the classroom lesson.

Design

Data were collected over three ten-week periods: January–April 2014 (Time 1), October–December 2014 (Time 2), and April–June 2015 (Time 3).

Methods

A cohort of 2194 adolescents (mean age = 13.40 years, SD = .73) wore an accelerometer during the hour before a mathematics lesson and completed a questionnaire following the mathematics lesson to assess school engagement in that lesson.

Results

Linear mixed models indicated that moderate-intensity activity before a mathematics lesson had a positive linear relationship with cognitive engagement (β = .40, p < .05). Recess breaks before a mathematics lesson had a negative relationship with overall, behavioural, emotional, and cognitive engagement (β = −.18, p < .01, β = −.19, p < .01, β = −.13, p = .03, and β = −.13, p = .04, respectively).

Conclusions

Promoting moderate-intensity activity prior to mathematics lessons could improve students’ cognitive engagement. Educators should be aware that students tend to demonstrate the lowest levels of school engagement after recess breaks.

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.07.002