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Cited by 44Physical Activity and HealthSchool Health and Nursing EducationHealth and Lifestyle Studies

Classroom Movement Breaks and Physically Active Learning Are Feasible, Reduce Sedentary Behaviour and Fatigue, and May Increase Focus in University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Lynch, Julia, O’Donoghue, Gráinne, Peiris, Casey L.·2022·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
DOI 10.3390/ijerph19137775PMC PMC9265656
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Abstract

Background: University students are mostly sedentary in tertiary education settings which may be detrimental to their health and learning. This review aimed to examine the feasibility and efficacy of classroom movement breaks (CMB) and physically active learning (PAL) on physical and cognitive outcomes in university students in the tertiary setting. Methods: Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsychINFO, and PubMed) were searched for articles published up until November 2021. Manual searching of reference lists and citation tracking were also completed. Two reviewers independently applied inclusion and exclusion criteria and completed quality assessment. Articles were included if they evaluated CMB or PAL interventions delivered to university students in a tertiary setting. Results: Of the 1691 articles identified, 14 studies with 5997 participants met the inclusion criteria. Average study quality scores were poor for both CMB and PAL studies. CMBs and PAL are feasible in the tertiary setting and increase physical activity, reduce sedentary behaviour, increase wellbeing, and reduce fatigue in university students. In addition, CMBs increased student focus and attention in class and PAL had no detrimental effect on academic performance. Conclusions: University educators should feel confident in introducing CMB and/or PAL interventions into their classes to improve student health and wellbeing.

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  • Classroom-based physical activity breaks improve perceived readiness to learn, emotional regulation, and several classroom-related outcomes.

    “These interventions have been reported to improve perceived readiness to learn, emotional regulation, and several classroom-related outcomes [14, 15].”

    From Effect of classroom physical activity breaks on learning behaviors and academic achievements in university students: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as [15]

    The Results (§3.6; page unavailable) report improved concentration, alertness and enjoyment after classroom movement breaks, supporting some classroom-related outcomes. The paper does not report improved perceived readiness to learn, and the Discussion (§4; page unavailable) calls for future research on emotional regulation rather than reporting an improvement in it. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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References 69 · Cited by 44

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Authors
Lynch, J., O’Donoghue, G., & Peiris, C. L.
Affiliations
  • La Trobe University (AU)
  • University College Dublin (IE)
Corresponding author
Lynch, Julia
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-06-24
Volume
19
Issue
13
Pages
7775
ISSN
1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/ijerph19137775
PMC
PMC9265656
OpenAlex
W4283511180
Cited by
44
References
69
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1
FWCI
0.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • La Trobe University (cc-by)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › School Health and Nursing Education
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Lifestyle Studies
Keywords
physically active learning, university students, sedentary behavior, fatigue, academic performance, student well-being, physical activity in education, feasibility
MeSH terms
Fatigue, Humans, Students, Universities, Problem-Based Learning, Sedentary Behavior

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