The Intensity of 10-Minute Classroom Physical Activity Breaks in Elementary School Children

Authors

Jeffery J. Honas, University of KansasFollow
Amanda N. Szabo-Reed, University of KansasFollow
Joe Sherman, University of KansasFollow
Anna Rice, University of KansasFollow
Robert Montgomery, University of KansasFollow
Ken Murfay, University of KansasFollow
Richard A. Washburn, University of KansasFollow
Joseph E. Donnelly, University of KansasFollow

Document Type

Article

Keywords

youth, physical activity, classroom, exercise intensity

Publication Date

3-31-2024

Abstract

This study examined the intensity of different physical activity (PA) breaks for elementary school children in a simulated classroom setting. Researchers compared the energy expenditure (Kcals/min, METs) of PA breaks developed for the Physical Activity Across the Curriculum (PAAC-3) program, delivered via video or in-person, to commercially available GoNoodle^© videos. 71 children (age 9.0 ± 1.1 yrs., 47 males, 24 females, 18% minority) participated in 10-minute PA breaks. The intensity of activity breaks was assessed using a COSMED® K5 portable indirect calorimeter (weight ~ 1 kg) (COSMED®, Rome, Italy) and and portable accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X+; ActiGraph LLC, Pensacola, FL) measuring at 30-second epochs. The PAAC-3 breaks, designed for confined spaces and emphasizing varied lower body movements, aimed for an intensity of ≥ 4 METs. Linear mixed-effects models assessed differences in intensity and ActiGraph (counts/min) between activity break types (Prerecorded video, In-person, and Go Noodle© videos). Models included random intercepts for each participant and fixed effects (covariates), including activity break type, study site, age, sex, height, and weight. Results showed that video and in-person PAAC-3 breaks achieved significantly higher intensity (Kcals/min, METs, and accelerometer counts) than GoNoodle (both, P < 0.001). Average METs were 5.7 and 5.8 for PAAC-3 (video and in-person, respectively) and 3.3 for GoNoodle. This study concludes that PAAC-3 and some GoNoodle videos can elicit moderate-to-vigorous PA in a classroom, contributing to the recommended 30 min/day of in-school PA. Further research is needed to optimize the implementation of these PA breaks in schools.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/ijpah.4.1.4.boisestate

Recommended Citation

Honas, Jeffery J.; Szabo-Reed, Amanda N.; Sherman, Joe; Rice, Anna; Montgomery, Robert; Murfay, Ken; Washburn, Richard A.; and Donnelly, Joseph E. (2024) "The Intensity of 10-Minute Classroom Physical Activity Breaks in Elementary School Children," International Journal of Physical Activity and Health: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18122/ijpah.4.1.4.boisestate
Available at: https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/ijpah/vol4/iss1/4