Effects of physical activity and breaks on mathematics engagement in adolescents
RIS ID
115543
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.
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.