The Effect of DeskCycle Use in a College Classroom

Abstract Research by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and major universities supports the impact physical activity can have on academic achievement. Specifically, aerobic exercise increases oxygen, blood flow, and glucose to the brain and promotes the production of more brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which promotes healthy cellular growth in the brain and increases brain plasticity – all of which increases cognition and aptitude for learning. This column examines use of DeskCycle, a low-profile pedal unit designed for use under a table or desk, as a pedagogical approach in a college setting.