Recent research highlights the positive effects of exercise on cognition, showing improvements in both attention and memory. Dr. Scott Hayes, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of the Buckeye Brain Aging Lab, conducted a study on how student-led exercise breaks during class can support student engagement and learning.
Between Spring 2019 and Spring 2023, exercise interventions were incorporated into four in-person courses, each with 80-minute lectures that met twice a week over a 15-week semester. Findings revealed that exercise breaks can be implemented effectively during college lectures. Students’ self-reported benefits included improved motivation, attention, and engagement with their peers and the instructor. Additionally, the exercise breaks may have boosted moods, expanded awareness that exercise can be done in short periods, and provided a welcomed break from lecturing.
To integrate exercise breaks in your classes, you can:
- Explain the benefits. Encourage students to read and discuss research on the rationale for exercise breaks.
- Consult professionals. Ensure exercises are practical, safe, and within the intensity range of daily living.
- Be inclusive: Offer students flexibility in whether and how they participate in the exercise breaks.
- Respond to feedback: Collect students’ feedback, respond to their input, and adjust your approach accordingly.
These strategies can foster a more dynamic and engaging learning environment, potentially benefiting you as well as your students.
Learn more by checking out recent media coverage of Dr. Hayes’ study.
- Drop it Like a Squat: Exercise Breaks Can Enhance Attention
- Psychology professor at Ohio State incorporates exercise into classwork
- Professor testing exercise to hold student attention
Hayes, S. M. (2024). Establishing the feasibility of exercise breaks during university lectures. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6, 1358564. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1358564