The film shows the researchers and students who participate in the research study Brain health in school. This study aims to investigate the relationship between physical activity and healthy brain functions, and how schools can organize physical activity to promote brain health.
Click on the image to watch the film.
More than 1,000 students from year 7, from larger and smaller cities, have come to GIH to carry out various tests.
- There is a great societal challenge today as many of our children move too little and sit still a lot. It is also important to study this in school as it is in that environment all students are on weekdays, says Per Nilsson, principal at GIH.
- We know that it is positive for health to move, but we want to know which movement patterns are more effective than others in promoting healthy brain functions. By that we mean thinking ability, well-being and mental health, says Örjan Ekblom, one of the responsible researchers.
- We also want to find out which movement patterns are related to learning and well-being so that we can design activities in schools to stimulate learning and make students feel good, says Gisela Nyberg, one of the responsible researchers.
Tests performed at GIH
Students have participated in the following tests initiated by GIH:
- Cognition tests (a memory test performed individually on a computer)
- Short fitness test on a bicycle
- Weight and length measurement
- Motion measurement (students wear a motion meter for one week)
- Diet registration (students fill in a digital food diary for three days)
- Survey (students answer questions about themselves and their health habits)
- Blood test. In about half of the schools, students will also have to submit a blood sample. An assistant nurse arrives at the school about a week after the visit to GIH and takes blood samples from those who participated in the study.