Effects of Brain Breaks on Attitudes and Motivation in the Institute of Teacher Campuses

Abstract

Brain breaks are short mental and physical breaks incorporated periodically and can help to stimulate one’s health and motivation. The study aimed to examine the effects of brain breaks on the attitudes and motives of participation of trainee teachers in Sarawak, Malaysia. The brain breaks were conducted twice a day and five times a week for a duration of 12 weeks. The participants are comprised of 48 trainee teachers (24 males and 24 females) aged 18 to 23 years (1.48 ± .50) randomly divided into intervention group (n = 24) and control group (n = 24). The Attitudes towards Physical Activity Scale (APAS) and Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS-M) were utilised. For APAS, the paired-samples t-test revealed that the mean difference score from pre-test to post-test in intervention group was significant for self-efficacy, MD = 0.60, t(23) = 0.32, p = 0.004, and fitness, MD = 0.58, t(23) = 2.98, p = 0.007. However, there was no significant difference for all APAS variables in control group. For PALMS-M, the paired-samples t-test revealed that the mean score from pre-test to post-test in intervention group was significant for competition/ego, MD = 0.84, t(23) = 4.54, p < 0.001, appearance, MD = 0.49, t(23) = 2.79, p = 0.013, others’ expectations, MD = 0.63, t(23) = 2.29, p = 0.032, psychological condition, MD = 0.49, t(23) = 2.66, p = 0.014, and enjoyment, MD = 1.08, t(23) = 1.30, p < 0.001. In the control group, the mean score from pre-test to post-test was significant for competition/ego, MD = 0.59, t(23) = 3.01, p = 0.006, others’ expectations, MD = 0.75, t(23) = 3.38, p = 0.003, and enjoyment, MD = 0.55, t(23) = 2.46, p = 0.022. The results revealed that brain breaks can be implemented in the campuses in order to improve trainee teachers’ attitudes and motivation towards PA.