The Effects of Physical Activity on Academic Success in Mathematics

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2009-07

Department

Program

Masters of Education

Citation of Original Publication

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of physical activity on the achievement of middle school students in mathematics. This study, occurring over five-weeks, used a pre-test/post-test design. All students were receiving regular instruction in mathematics, using the Everyday Math program, for 45 minutes each day. Students in the treatment group participated in vigorous physical activity for six minutes as a warm-up for their physical education class. Students in the control group received a less vigorous warm-up. All students received instruction in physical education every other day. There was no significant difference between the groups in performance on a common math unit test. However, additional studies are recommended involving more students over a longer period of time in order to further knowledge about the role of physical activity in promoting academic achievement.