Understanding the Benefits of Brief Classroom-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Primary School-Aged Children's Enjoyment and Subjective Wellbeing: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Engaging in classroom-based PA breaks may help increase children’s overall wellbeing and enjoyment of PA, important precursors for children to remain engaged in PA and in turn, possibly promote health benefits. In order to investigate classroom-based PA and its effects on primary school aged children’s wellbeing and enjoyment, we conducted a systematic review of brief classroom-based interventions in primary schools. METHODS: Databases were reviewed between the earliest date of records and April 2020. Eligibility criteria included peer reviewed empirical quantitative or mixed methods studies reporting an enjoyment of PA or wellbeing outcome of participating in a brief classroom-based PA program. A total of 15 papers were included in this review. Interventions supported 7,022 child participants enrolled at baseline and 6,286 children analysed at the end of the interventions across 148 primary schools. RESULTS: Results showed that classroom-based PA breaks can positively impact primary school-aged children’s enjoyment, and wellbeing (specifically children’s self-efficacy in learning with video exercises, Quality of Life and self-confidence). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from these studies support the integration of brief PA breaks in order to promote children’s wellbeing and enjoyment in PA, however more research is needed to confirm this.