[en] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of classroom-based Brain Breaks® Physical Activity Solution in Southeast Asia Singaporean primary school students and their attitude towards physical activity (PA) over a ten-week intervention. A total of 113 participants (8-11 years old) were randomly assigned to either an experimental (EG) or a control group (CG), with six classes to each group; the Brain Breaks® group (EG: six classes) and the Control group (CG: six classes). All EG members participated in a Brain Breaks® video intervention (three-five min) during academic classes and the CG continued their lessons as per normal. The student's attitudes towards PA in both research conditions were evaluated using the self-reported Attitudes toward Physical Activity Scale (APAS), applied before and after intervention. The effects of the intervention on APAS scores were analysed using a mixed model analysis of variance with Time as within-subject and Group as between-subject factors. The analysis revealed evidence in support of the positive effect of classroom video interventions such as Brain Breaks® on student's attitudes toward benefits, importance, learning, self-efficacy, fun, fitness, and trying to do their personal best in PA. The Brain Breaks® intervention provided a positive significant impact on students in Singapore. This study also revealed that interactive technology tools implemented into the school curriculum benefit students in terms of health and education.
Disciplines :
Education & instruction
Author, co-author :
Balasekaran, Govindasamy ; Physical Education & Sports Science, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637616, Singapore
Ibrahim, Ahmad Arif Bin; Physical Education & Sports Science, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637616, Singapore
Cheo, Ng Yew ; Sports & Physical Education, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore 599494, Singapore
Wang, Phua Kia; Ministry of Education, Singapore 138675, Singapore
Kuan, Garry ; Exercise and Sports Science Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
POPESKA, Biljana ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) > Department of Education and Social Work (DESW) > Teaching and Learning ; Faculty of Educational Sciences, Goce Delcev University, 2000 Stip, North Macedonia
Chin, Ming-Kai ; The Foundation for Global Community Health, 1550 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy Ste R #206, Henderson, NV 89012, USA
Mok, Magdalena Mo Ching ; Graduate Institute of Educational Information and Measurement, National Taichung University of Education, 140 Minsheng Road, West District, Taichung City 40306, Taiwan ; Assessment Research Centre, Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, 10 Lo Ping Road, Taipo, N.T., Hong Kong
Edginton, Christopher R; Department of Health, Recreation and Community Services, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USA
Culpan, Ian; School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Durstine, J Larry; Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
External co-authors :
yes
Language :
English
Title :
Using Brain-Breaks® as a Technology Tool to Increase Attitude towards Physical Activity among Students in Singapore.
The cooperation of the Singaporean primary school and the school authorities, teachers, students and parents are greatly appreciated. The authors gratefully acknowledge especially classroom teachers for their assistance in implementing Break Breaks® intervention and their support with data collection for the study. The authors would like to also acknowledge HOPSports® Inc. for technical support.
World Health Organization. Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity. 2017. Available online: https://www.who.int/end-childhood-obesity/facts/en/(accessed on 21 April 2021).
Poh, B.K.; Safiah, M.Y.; Tahir, A.; Haslinda, M.D.S.; Norazlin, N.S.; Norimah, A.K.; Manan, W.W.; Mirnalini, K.; Zalilah, M.S.; Azmi, M.Y.; et al. Physical Activity Pattern and Energy Expenditure of Malaysian Adults: Findings from the Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS). Malays. J. Nutr. 2010, 16, 13–37. [PubMed]
Bacha, F.; Gidding, S. Cardiac abnormalities in youth with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Curr. Diabetes Rep. 2016, 16, 62. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Hidrus, A.; Kueh, Y.C.; Norsaádah, B.; Chang, Y.-K.; Hung, T.-M.; Naing, N.N.; Kuan, G. Effects of brain-breaks videos on the motives for the physical activity of Malaysians with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 2507. [CrossRef]
Kumar, S.; Kelly, A.S. Review of Childhood Obesity: From Epidemiology, Etiology, and Comorbidities to Clinical Assessment and Treatment. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings; Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2017; Volume 92, pp. 251–265.
Lindberg, L.; Danielsson, P.; Persson, M.; Marcus, C.; Hagman, E. Association of childhood obesity with risk of early all-cause and cause-specific mortality: A Swedish prospective cohort study. PLoS Med. 2020, 17, e1003078. [CrossRef]
Ward, Z.J.; Long, M.W.; Resch, S.C.; Giles, C.M.; Cradock, A.L.; Gortmaker, S.L. Simulation of growth trajectories of childhood obesity into adulthood. N. Engl. J. Med. 2017, 377, 2145–2153. [CrossRef]
World Health Organization. Taking Action on Childhood Obesity. 2018. Available online: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/274792/WHO-NMH-PND-ECHO-18.1-eng.pdf (accessed on 21 April 2021).
Sigman, A. Time for a view on screen time. Arch. Dis. Child. 2012, 97, 935–942. [CrossRef]
Boone, J.E.; Gordon-Larsen, P.; Adair, L.S.; Popkin, B.M. Screen time and physical activity during adolescence: Longitudinal effects on obesity in young adulthood. Int. J. Behav. Nutr. Phys. Act. 2007, 4, 26. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Brindova, D.; Veselska, Z.D.; Klein, D.; Hamrik, Z.; Sigmundova, D.; Van Dijk, J.P.; Reijneveld, S.A.; Geckova, A.M. Is the association between screen-based behaviour and health complaints among adolescents moderated by physical activity? Int. J. Public Health 2015, 60, 139–145. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Cai, Y.; Zhu, X.; Wua, X. Overweight, obesity, and screen-time viewing among Chinese school-aged children: National prevalence estimates from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China—The youth study. J. Sport Health Sci. 2017, 6, 404–409. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Stiglic, N.; Viner, R.M. Effects of screen time on the health and well-being of children and adolescents: A systematic review of reviews. BMJ Open 2019, 9, e023191. [CrossRef]
Maher, C.; Olds, T.; Eisenmann, J.; Dollman, J. Screen time is more strongly associated than physical activity with overweight and obesity in 9-to 16-year-old Australians. Acta Paediatr. 2012, 101, 1170–1174. [CrossRef]
World Health Organization. Physical Activity. 2020. Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity (accessed on 26 November 2020).
Hajar, M.S.; Rizal, H.; Kueh, Y.C.; Muhamad, A.S.; Kuan, G. The effects of brain-breaks on motives of participation in physical activity among primary school children in Malaysia. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 2331. [CrossRef]
Rizal, H.; Hajar, M.S.; Muhamad, A.S.; Kueh, Y.C.; Kuan, G. The effect of brain breaks® on physical activity behavior among primary school children: A transtheoretical perspective. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 4283. [CrossRef]
Jago, R.; Salway, R.; Emm-Collison, L.; Sebire, S.J.; Thompson, J.L.; Lawlor, D.A. Association of BMI category with change in children’s physical activity between ages 6 and 11 years: A longitudinal study. Int. J. Obes. 2019, 44, 104–113. [CrossRef]
Lewallen, T.C.; Hunt, H.; Potts-Datema, W.; Zaza, S.; Giles, W. The whole school, whole community, whole child model: A new approach for improving educational attainment and healthy development for students. J. Sch. Health 2015, 85, 729–739. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Ginsburg, R.D.; Durant, S.; Baltzell, A. Whose Game Is It, Anyway? A Guide to Helping Your Child Get the Most from Sports, Organized by Age and Stage; Mariner Books: New York, NY, USA, 2006.
Althoff, T.; White, R.W.; Horvitz, E. Influence of Pokémon Go on physical activity: Study and implications. J. Med. Internet Res. 2016, 18, e315. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC). 2020. Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/wscc/index.htm (accessed on 12 January 2021).
Shields, M.K.; Behrman, R.E. Children and computer technology: Analysis and recommendations. Future Child. 2000, 10, 4–30. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Kuan, G.; Rizal, H.; Hajar, M.S.; Chin, M.K.; Mok, M.M.C. Bright sports, physical activity investments that work: Implementing brain breaks in Malaysia primary schools. Br. J. Sports Med. 2019, 53, 905–906. [CrossRef]
Zhou, K.; He, S.; Zhou, Y.; Popeska, B.; Kuan, G.; Chen, L.; Chin, M.-K.; Mok, M.M.C.; Edginton, C.R.; Culpan, I.; et al. Implementation of brain breaks in the classroom and its effects on attitude towards physical activity in Chinese school setting. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 272. [CrossRef]
Ministry of Education (MOE), Singapore. 2020. Available online: https://beta.moe.gov.sg/education-in-SG/(accessed on 30 October 2020).
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Towards a Sustainable and Resilient Singapore. 2018. Available online: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/19439Singapores_Voluntary_National_Review_Report_v2.pdf (accessed on 2 November 2020).
Glapa, A.; Grzesiak, J.; Laudanska-Krzeminska, I.; Chin, M.K.; Edginton, C.R.; Mok, M.M.C.; Bronikowski, M. The impact of brain breaks classroom-based physical activities on attitudes toward physical activity in Polish school children in third to fifth grade. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 368. [CrossRef]
Hajar, M.S.; Rizal, H.; Muhamad, A.S.; Kuan, G. The effects of Brain-Breaks on Short-Term Memory among Primary School Children in Malaysia. In Enhancing Health and Sports Performance by Design, 1st ed.; Hassan, M.H.A., Muhamed, A.M.C., Ali, N.F.M., Lian, D.K.C., Yee, K.L., Safii, N.S., Yusof, S.M., Fauzi, N.G.M., Eds.; Springer: Singapore, 2020; pp. 1–12.
Mok, M.M.C.; Chin, M.K.; Emeljanovas, A.; Mieziene, B.; Bronikowski, M.; Laudanska-Krzeminska, I.; Milanovic, I.; Pasic, M.; Balasekaran, G.; Phua, K.W.; et al. Psychometric properties of the attitudes towards physical activity scale: A Rasch analysis based on data from five location. J. Appl. Meas. 2015, 16, 379–400.
Dinc, S.C.; Uzunoz, F.S.; Mok, M.M.C.; Chin, M.-K. Adaptation of the attitudes toward physical activity scale for higher education students in Turkey. J. Educ. Learn. 2019, 8, 95–101. [CrossRef]
Popeska, B.; Jovanova-Mitkovska, S.; Chin, M.K.; Edginton, C.R.; Mok, M.M.C.; Gontarev, S. Implementation of brain breaks® in the classroom and effects on attitudes toward physical activity in a Macedonian school setting. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 1127. [CrossRef]
Uzunoz, F.S.; Chin, M.K.; Mok, M.M.C.; Edginton, C.R.; Podnar, H. The Effects of Technology Supported Brain Breaks on Physical Activity in School Children. In Passionately Inclusive: Towards Participation and Friendship in Sport; Dumon, D., Hofmann, A.R., Diketmuller, R., Koenen, K., Bailey, R., Zinkler, C., Eds.; Festschrift für Gudrun Doll-Tepper: Münster, NY, USA, 2018; pp. 87–104.
Krause, J.M.; Benavidez, E.A. Potential influences of exergaming on self-efficacy for physical activity and sport. J. Phys. Educ. Recreat. Danc. 2014, 85, 15–20. [CrossRef]
Mok, M.M.C.; Chin, M.-K.; Korcz, A.; Popeska, B.; Edginton, C.R.; Uzunoz, F.S.; Podnar, H.; Coetzee, D.; Georgescu, L.; Emeljanovas, A.; et al. Brain Breaks® Physical Activity Solutions in the Classroom and on Attitudes toward Physical Activity: A Randomized Controlled Trial among Primary Students from Eight Countries. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 1666. [CrossRef]
Bonnema, J.; Coetzee, D.; Lennox, A. Effect of a three-month HOPSports Brain Breaks® intervention programme on the attitudes of Grade 6 learners towards physical activities and fitness in South Africa. J. Physic. Educ. Sport 2020, 20, 196–205. [CrossRef]
Hajar, M.S.; Rizal, H.; Kuan, G. Effects of physical activity on sustained attention: A systematic review. Sci. Med. 2019, 29, e32864. [CrossRef]
Perrey, S. Promoting motor function by exercising the brain. Brain Sci. 2013, 3, 101–122. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Singapore Unveils Plan in Push to Become Smart Nation. 2014. Available online: https://www.zdnet.com/article/singapore-unveils-plan-in-push-to-become-smart-nation/(accessed on 21 April 2021).
Ammar, A.; Brach, M.; Trabelsi, K.; Chtourou, H.; Boukhris, O.; Masmoudi, L.; Bouaziz, B.; Bentlage, E.; How, D.; Ahmed, M.; et al. Effects of COVID-19 home confinement on eating behaviour and physical activity: Results of the ECLB-COVID19 international online survey. Nutrients 2020, 12, 1583. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Constandt, B.; Thibaut, E.; De Bosscher, V.; Scheerder, J.; Ricour, M.; Willem, A. Exercising in times of lockdown: An analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on levels and patterns of exercise among adults in Belgium. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 4144. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Ding, K.; Yang, J.; Chin, M.K.; Sullivan, L.; Durstine, J.L.; Violant-Holz, V.; Demirhan, G.; Oliveira, N.R.C.; Popeska, B.; Kuan, G.; et al. Physical Activity among Adults residing in 11 countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021. Under review. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Dwyer, M.J.; Pasini, M.; De Dominicis, S.; Righi, E. Physical activity: Benefits and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports 2020, 30, 1291–1294. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Khoramipour, K.; Basereh, A.; Hekmatikar, A.A.; Castell, L.; Ruhee, R.T.; Suzuki, K. Physical activity and nutrition guidelines to help with the fight against COVID-19. J. Sports Sci. 2021, 39, 101–107. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Schnitzer, M.; Schöttl, S.E.; Kopp, M.; Barth, M. COVID-19 stay-at-home order in Tyrol, Austria: Sports and exercise behaviour in change? Public Health 2020, 185, 218–220. [CrossRef]
Dhingra, M.; Chattopadhyay, S. Advancing smartness of traditional settlements-case analysis of Indian and Arab old cities. Int. J. Sustain. Built Environ. 2016, 5, 549–563. [CrossRef]
World Health Organization. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 2020. Available online: https://www.who.int/health-topics/sustainable-development-goals#tab=tab_1 (accessed on 21 April 2021).