Using Brain-Breaks ® as a Technology Tool to Increase Attitude towards Physical Activity among Students in Singapore

• Published in: Brain sciences Vol. 11; no. 6; p. 784
• Main Authors: Balasekaran, Govindasamy, Ibrahim, Ahmad Arif Bin, Cheo, Ng Yew, Wang, Phua Kia, Kuan, Garry, Popeska, Biljana, Chin, Ming-Kai, Mok, Magdalena Mo Ching, Edginton, Christopher R, Culpan, Ian, Durstine, J Larry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 14.06.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Age; Attitudes; Body mass index; Brain Breaks; Brain research; Education; Educational technology; Exercise; Learning; Obesity; online platform; Overweight; Participation; Physical activity; School systems; Screen time; Students; Sustainable development; video exercises; Singapore; video exercises; online platform; Brain Breaks; attitudes; physical activity
• ISSN: 2076-3425; 2076-3425
• DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060784

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.