Students wish for break exercise – could we make it possible?

On average, higher education students spend around 11 hours per day sitting. Prolonged sitting and sedentary behaviour are independent health risks, even if recommended levels of physical activity are achieved. Breaking up periods of sitting is important not only for health but also for learning. Supporting physical activity during the study day can help improve key cognitive skills for learning, such as attention, memory, and executive function.

At the University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Liikkuva opiskelu (Students on the Move) initiative aims to increase physical activity during the study day and promote student wellbeing and study ability. In a survey we carried out earlier this year, students were invited to reflect on their own physical activity during the study day and on practices related to physical activity in their institution. Our separate survey for teaching staff explored whether teaching methods on lessons and lectures provide opportunities for movement, break exercise, or other forms of physical activation, as well as teaching staff’s views on promoting physical activity on campus.

During the autumn semester we will publish a series of articles presenting the survey results and sharing tips and materials to support the promotion of physical activity. The first article in the series focuses on break exercise

Instructed break exercise encourage participation

According to student responses (n=412), instructed break exercise during lessons were among the most motivating ways to move during the study day.

• 78% of university students and 71% of university of applied sciences students would like break exercise during lessons.
• Students’ motivation is also evident in the fact that about half already take short breaks from sitting on their own initiative at least occasionally during teaching.
• Among the teaching staff who responded (n=65), 57% reported that they never interrupt students’ prolonged sitting with break exercise, and 20% do so less than once a week.
• More than half of the staff considered break exercise during lessons to be a fairly or very important measure for promoting physical activity on campus.

Standing up and moving around – is it allowed?

Open-ended responses revealed that students are uncertain whether it is acceptable to stand up or stretch during lessons. Many feel that movement is often seen by staff as a sign of poor concentration, even though a small amount of movement could actually support learning. Staff survey responses partly reflected the view that learning occurs by concentrating and listening while sitting still, and that moving might disrupt concentration or distract from learning.

• 58% of staff respondents said they never encourage students to stand up or move around during lessons.
• It is, however, encouraging that a majority of teaching staff (68%) felt that allowing movement, break exercise, or other forms of physical activation during lessons would support learning.
• Challenges to increasing physical activity during teaching were identified as, for example, lack of time, motivating students, remembering to include breaks and limited classroom space. Some did not perceive the issue as relevant or as part of supporting learning, and movement was not seen as part of the organisational culture.
• Students also expressed a wish for classroom furniture that allows for changing working positions, such as standing desks, exercise balls and saddle chairs.

Even small actions, such as standing up from time to time, can have many positive effects. You can find simple tips for increasing activity breaks here. The page also offers, for example, a downloadable movement symbol, which you can add to any presentation slides as a reminder to take a break from sitting.

​​​​​​​Liikkuva opiskelu (Students on the Move) is a national programme aiming to increase movement and study ability in upper secondary and higher education. The programme is strategically led by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish National Agency for Education. If you would like more information about the Liikkuva opiskelu practices at the University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences, please contact sports designer Mari Patanen mari.patanen@oulu.fi.