How are students' well-being and school results affected by extended school days with scheduled extra time for physical activity and homework? GIH will examine students from 50-60 upper secondary schools that vary in size, geographical area and socio-economy.
High school students from between 50 and 60 schools respond to surveys on well-being and school results.
Previous research has shown that physical activity positively affects brain functions and school results in children, but today there is not enough evidence for young people. Although it is in this group that the problems with inactivity and mental illness increase. This is the reason why this research project will contribute to increased knowledge about this age group.
This research project takes place in collaboration with Skandia's Ideas for Life foundation. Gisela Nyberg, Docent at GIH, is the main responsible for the research study.
Background
Today, more than half of Sweden's young people move too little and sit too much. National and international studies show that few children and young people reach the recommendation of 60 minutes of daily physical activity at least moderate intensity, i.e., an increase in heart rate and respiration. In addition, many young people feel mentally worse, which affects their well-being and results in school.
This can affect health later on and lead to higher healthcare consumption as they get older. There is also a socially unequal ill health that can be due to students' socio-economic differences.
The purpose of the study
The purpose is to examine students' physical behaviors, mental health, cognitive abilities and school performance. The goal is to develop evidence-based advice and tools for schools to design curricula and develop sustainable, effective efforts with physical activity and homework to promote brain health and school performance in students.
These advices can help to invest resources focused on the types of activities that have proven effective. In this way, resources can be freed up, time for other schoolwork can be increased, and hopefully, the workload on school staff can also be reduced. The project can also provide insight into the types of interventions that best improve brain health and school performance.
As schoolchildren increase their physical activity and receive increased support in schoolwork, the hope is that this promotes their physical and mental health and cognitive abilities in both the short and long term. The project expects to even out and reduce health gaps by giving all young people the same opportunities for physical activity and support in school work regardless of socio-economic background.
The three parts of the study
The study is divided into three parts:
- With the help of workshops with principals, teachers and students, the first part will examine what promotes and hinders different activities depending on the extended school day. What efforts can be made for organized activities and homework?
- The second part focuses on the extended school day with scheduled extra time for physical activity and homework, on brain health and school performance. Can this effort lead to more people participating in regular physical activity that strengthens brain health in vulnerable groups? *
- In the third and final part, an evaluation is made of the intervention in terms of dose, compliance, feasibility, acceptance and a description to highlight which factors promote or hinder. Data will be investigated with content analysis and descriptive data.
*60 schools with boys and girls in year 8 will, during one year, have different types of physical activities and homework during extended school days with 60 minutes three times a week. The activities will vary in terms of frequency, duration, intensity and are evaluated in relation to the effect on brain health.
Physical activity, sedentary time and activity behaviors are measured with a movement meter and questionnaire. Cognitive functions (concentration, executive functions and working memory) are measured with a computerized test battery, mental health with questionnaires, and academic performance with grades and national tests. Half of the schools are included in the intervention and half as a control group. Measurements are performed before the intervention and at a follow-up measurement one year after the end of the intervention.
The result gives concrete conclusions
The results will provide solid conclusions about how a school can work preventively and sustainably with physical activity and homework to achieve the best effect on brain health and reduce health and learning inequalities.
Collaborators in the research project are:
- Skandia's Ideas for Life foundation
- IKEA
- Generation Pep/ Swedish Crown Princess Couple's Foundation
- Permobil
- Storytel