Effectiveness of a physically active learning program on indicators of physical activity, well-being and academic performance in students

Abstract

The aim was to analyse the effects of a programme made of physically active lessons on primary education students' level of school physical activity, physical fitness, school life satisfaction and academic performance. A quasiexperimental methodology was applied and 50 fifth-year primary education students (Mage = 10.62; SD = 0.57) participated. The experimental group (n = 25) enrolled in a physically active learning programme within the bilingual Science subject for eight weeks. One physically active lesson was included per week, in addition to the two Physical Education sessions. The results revealed that the physically active learning programme generated a significant increase in students' physical activity during school time (p < .05), several physical fitness variables, the student-teacher relationship, the interest in the subject and perceived health. These findings evidenced the importance of including physically active lessons during school hours, in order to improve the low physical activity levels currently shown by primary school students.