Active classrooms: a cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of a movement integration intervention on the physical activity levels of primary school children
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the Active Classrooms intervention, which integrates movement into academic lessons, on the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels (MVPA) of primary school children during class-time and throughout the school day. METHODS: Ten classroom teachers and their students aged 8 to 12 years were recruited and randomized into the Active Classrooms intervention group (n = 131students, n = 5teachers) or a delayed-treatment controlled group (n = 117students, n = 5teachers). The intervention group participated in active academic lessons taught by the classroom teacher over an 8 week period. Accelerometers were used to gather physical activity data at baseline, postintervention and at 4 months follow-up. Teachers completed a questionnaire to evaluate the program. RESULTS: A significant difference for change in daily class time MVPA levels was identified between the treatment (n = 95) and control (n = 91) groups from pre- to postintervention (P < .001) and this difference was maintained at follow-up (P < .001). No significant difference emerged between the treatment and control groups for change in school day MVPA levels from pre- to postintervention (P = .52) or follow-up (P = .09). Teachers reported that they were highly satisfied with the program. CONCLUSIONS: Movement integration has the potential to improve physical activity levels of primary school children in the classroom.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
5 RCTs and 2 NR studies reported that the significant effect of the intervention was aligned with preventing, or at least reducing, the decline in physical activity observed in control conditions over time, rather than significantly increasing physical activity in intervention conditions per se.
“In fact, 5 RCTs and 2 NR studies reported that the significant effect of the intervention was aligned with preventing, or at least reducing, the decline in PA observed in control conditions over time, rather than significantly increasing PA in intervention conditions per se.55, 58, 66, 70, 73, 81, 82”
From A mixed-studies systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based interventions to promote physical activity and/or reduce sedentary time in children (2020) · cites this paper as [55]
Physically active learning differs from class PA breaks in that PA was integrated into core English and math curriculum learning in the 2 high-quality, small RCTs that identified positive impact on MVPA.
“Physically active learning differs from class PA breaks in that PA was integrated into core English and math curriculum learning in the 2 high-quality, small RCTs that identified positive impact on MVPA.55, 56”
From A mixed-studies systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based interventions to promote physical activity and/or reduce sedentary time in children (2020) · cites this paper as [55]
The intervention duration of these studies was variable, with 4 studies lasting 4-10 weeks, others implemented over a longer duration (e.g., 10 months, 1 year, or 2 years).
“Whilst the intervention duration of these studies was variable, with 4 studies lasting 4–10 weeks,55, 58, 66 others were implemented over a longer duration, for example, 10 months,73 1 year,81 or 2 years.70”
From A mixed-studies systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based interventions to promote physical activity and/or reduce sedentary time in children (2020) · cites this paper as [55]
Some included interventions specifically sought to prevent or reduce the decline in PA observed in control conditions over time, as opposed to significantly increasing PA in intervention conditions.
“some interventions specifically sought to prevent or reduce the decline in PA observed in control conditions over time, as opposed to significantly increasing PA in intervention conditions”
From A mixed-studies systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based interventions to promote physical activity and/or reduce sedentary time in children (2020) · cites this paper as [55]
Cites
Still being checked.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Neil‐Sztramko, S., Caldwell, H. A. T., & Dobbins, M. (2021) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007651.pub3 · Cited by 494 · see citing works
Norris, E., van Steen, T., Direito, A., & Stamatakis, E. (2020) · British Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1136/bjsports-2018-100502 · Cited by 293 · see citing works
Jones, M., Defever, E., Letsinger, A., Steele, J., & Mackintosh, K. A. (2020) · Journal of Sport and Health Science · doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2019.06.009 · Cited by 189 · see citing works
“From a methodological perspective, it is important that future intervention studies incorporate a control group to account for age- or time-related changes, not least because some interventions specifically sought to prevent or reduce the decline in PA observed in control conditions over time, as opposed to significan…”
BackgroundInfluentialTassitano, R. M., Weaver, R. G., Tenório, M. C. M., Brazendale, K., & Beets, M. W. (2020) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/s12966-020-01054-y · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Vazou, S., Webster, C. A., Stewart, G. L., Candal, P., Egan, C. A., Pennell, A., & Russ, L. B. (2020) · Sports Medicine - Open · doi:10.1186/s40798-019-0218-8 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Levels of Physical Activity during School Hours in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review
Grao‐Cruces, A., Velázquez-Romero, M. J., & Rodríguez‐Rodríguez, F. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17134773 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Martin, R., & Murtagh, E. (2017) · Teaching and Teacher Education · doi:10.1016/j.tate.2017.01.002 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Self-citationPeiris, D. L. I. H. K., Duan, Y., Vandelanotte, C., Liang, W., Yang, M., & Baker, J. S. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19159479 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Petrigna, L., Thomas, E., Brusa, J., Rizzo, F., Scardina, A., Galassi, C., Lo Verde, D., Caramazza, G., & Bellafiore, M. (2022) · Frontiers in Pediatrics · doi:10.3389/fped.2022.841582 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Graham, M., Azevedo, L. B., Wright, M., & Innerd, A. L. (2021) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-021-01599-3 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Bouts of Vigorous Physical Activity and Bone Strength Accrual During Adolescence
Gabel, L., MACDONALD, H. M., Nettlefold, L., & McKay, H. A. (2017) · Pediatric Exercise Science · doi:10.1123/pes.2017-0043 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
School Medical Service: Strategies to Promote Psycho-Physiological Well-Being
Tafuri, F., & Latino, F. (2024) · Pediatric Reports · doi:10.3390/pediatric16010019 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Sevil‐Serrano, J., García‐González, L., Abós, Á., Lanaspa, E. G., & Solana, A. A. (2018) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph15091875 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Porter, A., Walker, R. A. J., House, D., Salway, R., Dawson, S., Ijaz, S., de Vocht, F., & Jago, R. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1321167 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Weaver, R. G., Tassitano, R. M., Tenório, M. C. M., Brazendale, K., & Beets, M. W. (2021) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.2021-0254 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Innerd, A. L., Azevedo, L. B., & Batterham, A. M. (2019) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225997 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Rapid Realist Review of School-Based Physical Activity Interventions in 7- to 11-Year-Old Children
Defever, E., & Jones, M. A. (2021) · Children · doi:10.3390/children8010052 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Faghy, M. A., Armstrong-Booth, K. E., Staples, V., Duncan, M. J., & Roscoe, C. M. P. (2021) · Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology · doi:10.3390/jfmk6030056 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Active Learning: A Review of European Studies of Active Lessons
Bailey, R. P., Ríes, F., Heck, S., & Scheuer, C. (2023) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su15043413 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Active Breaks and Motor Competencies Development in Primary School: A Systematic Review
Colella, D., Monacis, D., & Limone, P. (2020) · Advances in Physical Education · doi:10.4236/ape.2020.103020 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Taylor, S. L., Noonan, R. J., Knowles, Z. R., Owen, M. B., & Fairclough, S. J. (2018) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-018-6272-1 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Larose, D., Massie, C.-L., St-Aubin, A., Boulay-Pelletier, V., Boulanger, E., Lavoie, M. D., Yessis, J. L., Tremblay, A., & Drapeau, V. (2024) · Journal of Activity Sedentary and Sleep Behaviors · doi:10.1186/s44167-024-00068-2 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Martin, R., McMullen, J. M., & Murtagh, E. (2021) · Irish Educational Studies · doi:10.1080/03323315.2021.1899023 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Self-citationUibu, M., Kalma, M., Mägi, K., & Kull, M. (2021) · Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research · doi:10.1080/00313831.2021.1958376 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Impact of an Interdisciplinary Educational Programme on Students’ Physical Activity and Fitness
Jiménez-Parra, J. F., & Valenzuela, A. V. (2023) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare11091256 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Gavigan, N., Belton, S., Meegan, S., & Issartel, J. (2021) · Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy · doi:10.1080/17408989.2021.1967305 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Teacher Classifications of Implementing Classroom Movement Integration in Elementary Schools
Moon, J., & Lee, D. (2023) · lnternational Electronic Journal of Elementary Education · doi:10.26822/iejee.2024.321 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Komplex iskolai egészségnevelő program a COM-B modell tükrében
Eörsi, D., Herczeg, V., Árva, D., & Terebessy, A. (2020) · Egészségfejlesztés · doi:10.24365/ef.v60i2.540 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Medpredmetno povezovanje: pot do uresničenja vzgojno-izobraževalnih ciljev
(2021) · Založba Univerze na Primorskem / University of Primorska Press eBooks · doi:10.26493/978-961-293-013-4 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Peiris, D. L. I. H. K., Duan, Y., Vandelanotte, C., Liang, W., & Baker, J. S. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1360210 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Bergen, T., Richards, J. A., Kira, G., Kim, A. H. M., Signal, L. N., & Mizdrak, A. (2024) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/s12966-024-01653-z · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Bernal, C. M. M., Lhuisset, L., Fabre, N., & Bois, J. E. (2020) · Movement & Sport Sciences - Science & Motricité · doi:10.1051/sm/2020022 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Bernal, C. M. M. (2020) · Ejournal de la recherche sur l intervention en éducation physique et sport -eJRIEPS · doi:10.4000/ejrieps.5297 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Yachmenev, N. V., & Рубанович, В. Б. (2017) · Science for Education Today · doi:10.15293/2226-3365.1701.13 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Does movement integration into classroom lessons work? And are teachers receptive?
Leung, W. C. W., Jung, J., Kang, S., & Cardinal, B. J. (2018) · Journal of Physical Education Recreation & Dance · doi:10.1080/07303084.2018.1442071 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Estimated Energy Expenditure during Classroom-Based Physical Activity
Kahan, D., Thompson, H. R., Zielke, C., & Punzalan, B. E. (2025) · Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1249/tjx.0000000000000321
Tassitano, R. M., Weaver, R. G., Tenório, M. C. M., Brazendale, K., & Beets, M. W. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.13336081
Tassitano, R. M., Weaver, R. G., Tenório, M. C. M., Brazendale, K., & Beets, M. W. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.13336084
Tassitano, R. M., Weaver, R. G., Tenório, M. C. M., Brazendale, K., & Beets, M. W. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.13336090
Tassitano, R. M., Weaver, R. G., Tenório, M. C. M., Brazendale, K., & Beets, M. W. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.13336096
Tassitano, R. M., Weaver, R. G., Tenório, M. C. M., Brazendale, K., & Beets, M. W. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.13336093
Tassitano, R. M., Weaver, R. G., Tenório, M. C. M., Brazendale, K., & Beets, M. W. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.13336087
Bernal, C. M. M. (2020) · doi:10.70675/fbf2f2f2z3773z49c7zab5dz8e20a3c8eedf
Duan, Y., Peiris, D. L. I. H. K., Vandelanotte, C., & Liang, W. (2026) · Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness · doi:10.1016/j.jesf.2026.200498
- Authors
- Martin, R., & Murtagh, E.
- ORCID
- Murtagh, Elaine
- Venue
- Journal of Physical Activity and Health
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics
- Published
- 2017-04
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 290-300
- ISSN
- 1543-3080 (ISSN-L)
- 1543-5474
- OpenAlex
- W2565317976
- Cited by
- 45
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4
- FWCI
- 2.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Physical Activity and Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › School Health and Nursing Education
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Keywords
- movement integration, physical activity, elementary school students, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, classroom physical activity, school-based intervention, teacher job satisfaction, children's physical activity
- MeSH terms
- Child, Female, Humans, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Schools, Students, Exercise
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
