RESEARCH TO WATCH
WHAT'S THE STUDY: Researchers at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology and School of Public Health received a grant to determine the best way to help Michigan schoolteachers give their students physical activity breaks during the school day. By testing different levels of support based on each school's needs, the study aims to help schools offer effective classroom physical activity programs and improve health for all students. The findings could show how to help youth build lifelong physical activity habits that improve health, prevent disease and help them live longer.
WHY IT MATTERS: Studies show that Americans, especially children, aren't getting enough physical activity. Regular physical activity supports kids' physical and emotional health, improves learning and lowers their risk of chronic disease later in life. Experts recommend that youth ages 6 to 17 get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, but many fall short. About 1 in 5 U.S. children and adolescents are obese, and only 1 in 4 high school students reports meeting the daily physical activity recommendation.
The research supports state and national efforts to help children become more active. The 60-minute goal is a health recommendation, not a federal or Michigan requirement for schools. Michigan does, however, have physical education and health requirements and standards that encourage regular activity. Classroom physical activity breaks can help students move closer to the recommended goal while complementing—not replacing—physical education and recess.
HOW MUCH FOR HOW LONG: The five-year study received $3.2 million from the National Cancer Institute.
WHO'S INVOLVED:
Rebecca Hasson , associate professor of movement science and nutritional sciences and director of the Childhood Disparities Research Laboratory: "The proposed research is particularly compelling because it focuses on a practical way to increase activity during the school day. Adding even 10 to 20 minutes of physical activity per day can meaningfully improve children's health. Classroom physical activity breaks can provide up to 20 additional minutes of daily movement while also supporting students' behavior, focus, and achievement. These are outcomes that matter to both teachers and students."
"We will test practical, affordable ways to help teachers add movement to the school day. Schools will receive basic training, with added support for those that need it. Our goal is to find out what works best in different schools and what districts can realistically afford and maintain."
Kelley Kidwell , professor of biostatistics: "This is an exciting opportunity to learn what kinds of support help teachers get kids moving more during the school day. We know one approach won't work for every school. Some schools thrive with basic training and materials, while others need more hands-on help. This study lets us figure out how to give each school the right support at the right time, adding more help only where it's needed, so that teachers can build more physical activity into their classrooms."
David Hutton , professor of health management and policy and of industrial and operations engineering: "Children in poorer schools often have low levels of physical activity. We want to determine which parts of this program are a good use of a school's limited resources. And, we also want to see if these programs can also help reduce disparities between these poorer schools and schools with better access to resources."
Other key co-investigators are Andria Eisman of Washington University in St. Louis and Greg Welk of Iowa State University.