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Instant Recess. “ I ’ m crazy for pickles, but I like Instant Recess better ” --2 nd grader. Diana Diamant, Kate Lundquist, and Barnaby Ohrstrom Supervised by Dr. Bob Swoap. Why NOW ?. Obesity Rates in the US.
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InstantRecess “I’m crazy for pickles, but I like Instant Recess better” --2nd grader Diana Diamant, Kate Lundquist, and Barnaby Ohrstrom Supervised by Dr. Bob Swoap
Obesity Rates in the US CDC: Approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese
What has changed? now then then now now then now then
Physical Activity in Schools U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: In 2006, only 8% of students were offered daily physical activity in schools then
Why Instant Recess?"We've engineered exercise out of our daily lives. Now we have to engineer it back in.” * *Shellie Pfohl, executive director of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, & Nutrition
What is InstantRecess? • InstantRecess (IR) is a 10-minute physical activity break designed for everyday use by everybody, anywhere, anytime, in any attire. IR • is a unique fusion of popular culture and science to promote physical and mental fitness. • involves movement of major muscle groups to increase blood flow throughout the body & burn calories. • re-invigorates teachers and students to feel more alert and increase their energy levels. Why IR? “So you don’t just be fat in a chair”—1st grader
Why Instant Recess?“Getting kids to sit shoulder to shoulder for six hours a day is not going to do it,” Dr. Yancey said. “Even in schools that still have 30-minute periods of physical education or recess, many children get only about five minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.”
Everybody up!(Instant Recess:Reggae break) “IR is to get you active so you are not just sitting in a seat doing nothing.”—1st Grader
Research Questions:How easily can Instant Recess be implemented in and elementary school?What are the effects of Instant Recess on students?
Procedure • Determined parameters of the study • Received informed consent from Principal Morgan • Spoke with teachers and gauged interest • Met in January and taught teachers how to do Instant Recess
Participants • WD Williams Elementary School • Swannanoa, NC • 13 out of 23 teachers participated during the 8-week study • Kindergarten - 5th Grade (all grades represented; approx. 22 students per classroom)
Data Collection • Research Assistants observed classrooms before, during and after IR • Teachers’ documentation • When IR break was implemented • Specific IR break used • Teacher observations • Interviews • Individual students • Teachers • Classes
Data Analysis • Preliminary qualitative phenomenological data analysis • Triangulation-”cross-checking” information and conclusions through the use of multiple procedures or sources* • Major trends in the data • * Milinki, A. K. (1999). Cases in qualitative research. Los Angeles, CA: • Pyrczak Publishing.
Implementation • Teacher participation • Technology • Spacing • Schedule
Short-term Effects • Quick transitions back to work • Increased on-task behavior • Decreased hyperactivity • Improved mood “It helps get the wiggles out before a test and calms me down”—2nd grader
Long-term Effects • More physically fit • Increased coordination • Improved mood by mastery • Increased understanding • of Instant Recess
Discussion • Implications • Positive effect of physical activity in schools • Limitations • Not a random sample • Time constraints • Pilot study
Future Directions • Strategies to maximize IR to meet the needs of individual populations • Creating more videos based on student recommendations • Ease of teacher documentation • Quantitative data
Acknowledgements • Dr. Bob Swoap • Dr. Toni Yancey • Principal Morgan • Teachers at WD Williams • Students