Abstract
Physically active children have greater motor competence and a faster maturation compared with their sedentary peers. Recent research also suggests that physical activity during childhood may also promote cognitive development and therefore improve academic performance. The aim of this study was to understand if physically active academic lessons may improve academic achievement in primary schoolchildren. A systematic review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines was conducted. The search was performed on the following database: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), and PsycINFO (APA). Studies evaluating schoolchildren aged between 3 and 11 years taking part in educational contexts that include physical activity and natural environments evaluating physical fitness and/or educational outcomes were included. A total of 54 studies (for a total sample of 29,460 schoolchildren) were considered eligible and included in the qualitative synthesis. The Effective Public Health Practice Project risk-of-bias assessment revealed a moderate quality of the included studies with only two considered weeks. Despite differences in the retrieved protocols, physically active academic lessons improve the total time engaged in physical activity, motor skills, and/or academic performance. The results of this review suggest that learning through movement is an effective, low-cost, and enjoyable strategy for elementary schoolchildren.
Highlights
Children spend an ever-increasing time in sedentary behaviors such as the ∼2 h or 3 h per day in television view (1)
In children, physical activity practice during school days can be incorporated, and it increases moderate to vigorous physical activity levels (20) and improve aerobic fitness (4) and has positive learning outcomes and academic achievement (21)
Active lessons can be proposed with different contents such as math, language, arts, and social sciences, and this has positive effects on physical activity level and learning and attention (25)
Summary
Children spend an ever-increasing time in sedentary behaviors such as the ∼2 h (children aged 3 years) or 3 h (children aged between 3 and 5 years) per day in television view (1). In children, physical activity practice during school days can be incorporated, and it increases moderate to vigorous physical activity levels (20) and improve aerobic fitness (4) and has positive learning outcomes and academic achievement (21). It can integrate physical activity in the academic curriculum and propose a classroombased physical activity program, increase children’s cognition (15) and energy expenditure (22), develop social skills, improve mental health, and reduce risk-taking behaviors, but it has short-term cognitive benefits (23). The inclusion of physical activity in the curriculum to improve learning outcomes is feasible, and it is suggested in elementary schoolchildren (21)
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