Classroom physical activity breaks show strong evidence of improving emotional engagement in university students¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r3 · q2
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Six of seven studies of emotional engagement reported significant improvements, resulting in relatively strong evidence strength (85.7%). → Deng Qianting; Wu Chongyun; Yang Luodan 2026

Evidence¶

Deng Qianting; Wu Chongyun; Yang Luodan 2026¶

Deng Qianting; Wu Chongyun; Yang Luodan. (2026). Effect of classroom physical activity breaks on learning behaviors and academic achievements in university students: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-026-01936-7

q2 · i? · review · r3

Review synthesis of seven intervention studies: six reported significant improvements in emotional engagement, reflected in 'increased enjoyment, learning motivation, peer interaction, classroom interactivity'.

"seven studies investigated emotional engagement, six of which reported significant improvements [13, 17, 22, 25, 31, 34], whereas one reported no effect [38], resulting in relatively strong evidence strength (85.7%)."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Physical Well-Being — outcome: instruction changes it

Related Claims¶

• Effects of classroom physical activity breaks on academic performance in university students are mixed or inconclusive — related
• Behavioral engagement findings from classroom physical activity breaks are inconclusive — related
• Classroom physical activity breaks show strong evidence of improving positive academic emotions in university students — related
• Low-intensity exercise during university class significantly increases students' vigour during the lesson — related
• Evidence on negative academic emotions from classroom physical activity breaks is limited and inconsistent — related