EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL

ACTIVITY ON ACADEMIC
PERFORMANCE

PROFESSIONAL INQUIRY PROJECT

BY: LANE KOENTGES
GOAL OF INQUIRY
By taking over intramurals a qualitative study would be
conducted to observe students post physical activity to
monitor their academic performance.

Measured by:
Engagement
Calmness
Attentiveness
PHILOSOPHY
Physical activity (PA) can be effectively used throughout
the school day, as well as in a variety of classroom
settings.
PA is not just for the gymnasium but for the classroom
setting as well.
PA increases engagement, students want to move and can
be motivated through PA.
Sedentary behavior is becoming more common in our
society and having students be active throughout the day
can decreases the chance of sedentary behavior,
depression, and obesity.
 THE RESEARCH
Integrating physical activity within classrooms as part of planned lessons that
teach academic subjects through movement can increase students' overall
physical activity and improve time-on-task and attentiveness (Mahar et al.,
2006; Donnelly & Lambourne, 2011; Erwin, Beighle Morgan, & Noland, 2011;
Goh et al., 2014).

Studies (CDC, 2010) have found that offering physical activity breaks during
standard classroom instruction may have favorable associations with some
indicators of cognitive functioning (e.g., attention/concentration); academic
behaviors (e.g., classroom conduct); and/or academic achievement (e.g., test
scores).

In a multi year Canadian study, student with enhanced physical education

scored higher on report cards and standardized test than those with regular
physical education. (Dwyer, Blizzard, & Dean, 2001)
This was in spite of a 13% reduction in academic teaching
STUDY
Throughout my practicum I have observed a variety of
students, boys and girls consisting of grades 5,6,7,8.
Students were observed immediately post activity for a
minimum of 20 minutes
My grade 5 class has PE before social studies, Monday
through Thursday.
Qualitative notes were taken to refer to findings each
session
In total I observed 2 boys and 2 girls per grade creating a
total of 8 students observed, addition to my entire grade 5
social class.
FINDINGS
Students who participated in PA prior to classroom
instruction seemed to function on a more appropriate level,
more so than students who had not participated in PA.
Students fell into routine easily
Students seemed engaged
More attentive
A calmness to their demeanor
Concentration on task
Students who participated in PA were on average
perceived to cognitively function at a higher level.
INTERVENTION
To create activities that initiate PA throughout lessons in a
variety of classes that are engaging but still create
constructive learning, linked to the Program of Studies
pertaining to the specific subject area.

It is unreasonable to cater entire lessons to involve physical

activity so it is my goal to create a type of handbook for
teachers to refer to generate ideas to create more active
lessons.
SOLUTION
I will create a Google Document with creative ways to
incorporate PA into classroom settings, in hopes that it will
increase student engagement, student attentiveness, and
overall academic performance.

Using a Google Document teachers will be able to add

activities that may not be mentioned, creating a very effective
resource to implement PA into the classroom.
REFERENCES
Brusseau, T., Hannon, J. (2015). Impacting children's health and
academic performance through comprehensive school physical
activity programming. International Electric Journal of Elementary
Education. Pg 441-450
McClelland, E., Pitt, A. (2014). Enhance academic performance
using a novel classroom physical activity intervention to increase
awareness, attention and self control: putting embodied cognition
into practice. Sage Journals. Vol 18(1)
Dean, K., Dwyer, T., Leigh, B. (2001) Relation of academic
performance to physical activity and fitness children. Pediatric
Exercise Science. Vol 13(3) pg. 225-237