EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF MOVEMENT-BASED LEARNING ON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Abstract
The development of motor skills and cognitive abilities in children is an important focus in elementary education, considering its potential for academic readiness and social adaptation. Physically active children possess better levels of motor competence and faster development rates. Good cognitive development will have an impact on improving academic achievement. This study aims to understand whether movement-based lessons (physically active academic lessons) can improve the academic achievement of elementary school students. A systematic review of studies involving elementary school students that combine physical activity and that initiate physical fitness and learning outcomes or learning achievement was conducted using the PRISMA guideline. The search was conducted on studies of elementary school students aged between 6 and 12 years old in educational contexts that include physical activity and activities in natural environments that radiate physical fitness and/or learning outcomes (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus). A total of 44 studies with a sample size of 26,073 students were eligible for the qualitative synthesis. The risk of bias assessment using the Effective Public Health Practice Project revealed moderate quality of included studies, with only three considered weak. Despite differences in the processes studied, physically active academic lessons increased the time students spent engaging in physical activity, improved motor skills, and/or enhanced academic achievement. All interventions conducted in the study, that involved physical activity in the learning process, although there were differences in the implementation protocols, had the same aspect, namely increasing physical activity and/or academic achievement. These observations suggest that movement-based learning is an effective and enjoyable strategy for elementary school children.
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