CC Brar

60 Minutes of Activity per Day

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         In 2016, ParticipACTION, a non-profit organization committed to movement in Canada, published a report highlighting the daily recommendation for youth to be active. The study stated that 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous heart-pumping activity should be the target. (Participaction, 2016, pg.7).  The World Health Organization reiterated the 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, and highlighted the improvements in students’ health. In addition to the 60-minute recommendation, ParticipACTION recommend that students limit their time sitting, commenting on the effects of extended sedentary periods (Participaction, 2016, pg. 7). ParticipACTION and WHO’s recommendation of 60 minutes of activity per day align with my desire to implement movement into the shape of the day, thus enhancing my foundation for my pedagogy.

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10 Minutes Plus per Session

           

         Erin Howie, author of “Acute Effects of Classroom Exercise Breaks on Executive Function and Math Performance: A Dose–Response Study,” recognized the importance of time in school environments. Noting that time is a critical resource, Howie decided to look into how educators could effectively implement breaks into the shape of the day (Howie et al., 2015, pg.218). The study tested for improvements in cognitive functions using five-, ten-, and twenty-minute movement breaks (Howie et al., 2015, pg.218).  The findings demonstrated that ten- and twenty-minute breaks showed positive cognitive effects (Howie et al., 2015, pg. 221), while five-minute activities did not. Howie concluded her research, recommending that teachers implement exercise breaks for at least 10 minutes to elicit benefits. This 10-minute guideline allows educators to break the recommended 60 minute of activity into manageable segments throughout the day

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Make It Enjoyable!

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          “Schools are the most likely place to change physical activity patterns and that physical education curricula should provide movement experiences that are enjoyable, provide significant amounts of physical activity, and promote lifelong participation in physical activity” (Maeda, 2003, pg.14) Maeda, author of “Can academic success come from five minutes of physical activity,” highlights the importance of fostering enjoyment in the movement activities. With exercise being correlated to growth and learning, “movement is an indispensable part of learning and thinking” (Maeda, 2003, pg.16). As educators, it is our job to introduce students to this concept and provide opportunities for students to try new activities while building fundamental movement skills (Maeda, 2003, pg.14). It is these motor skills that allow students to participate in sports and other physical activities and remain active for life (Maeda, 2003, pg.15).  Howie suggests each break “beg[i]n[s] with 30 s of low-intensity warm-up and ends with a brief deep-breathing and stretching cooldown (Howie et al., 2015, pg.218). The activities can be changed; however, this format will allow students to raise their heart rate and return to work.

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