Effects of short physical activity sessions on physical fitness and cognitive control in Norwegian upper secondary school students: the MOVE12 pilot study
Abstract Background The MOVE12 pilot study investigated the effects of integrating brief, student-led physical activity sessions on fitness and cognitive control in Norwegian upper secondary school students. The MOVE-break concept integrates strength, endurance, and playful activities into classroom...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01120-7 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849761821648486400 |
|---|---|
| author | Svein Barene Harald Oseland Rolf Inge Ølberg Sigbjørn Litleskare |
| author_facet | Svein Barene Harald Oseland Rolf Inge Ølberg Sigbjørn Litleskare |
| author_sort | Svein Barene |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The MOVE12 pilot study investigated the effects of integrating brief, student-led physical activity sessions on fitness and cognitive control in Norwegian upper secondary school students. The MOVE-break concept integrates strength, endurance, and playful activities into classroom settings to counteract sedentary behavior. Methods This 12-week cluster-randomized controlled trial enrolled 517 first-year students from academic and vocational programs. Classes were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group was encouraged to conduct two daily Move-breaks sessions, each lasting 6–7 min, during classroom instruction. Physical fitness was assessed through aerobic fitness, muscular strength, flexibility, and postural control tests. Cognitive control was evaluated using the Eriksen Flanker and Stroop tasks. Results No significant between-group differences were observed in aerobic fitness, muscular strength, flexibility, or postural control over the intervention period. However, within-group improvements were detected in the intervention group for handgrip strength and standing long jump performance. Notably, despite differences in exercise intensity between students in academic and vocational programs, both groups showed significant improvements in cognitive control. Conclusions These findings highlight the potential of brief, student-led physical activity sessions to enhance cognitive control in adolescents, irrespective of educational program or intensity levels. While no substantial improvements in physical fitness were observed, the cognitive benefits highlight the potential of integrating structured movement sessions into the school day. Further research should explore optimized intervention strategies and long-term effects on both cognitive and physical health outcomes. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN10405415. Registered 14/12/2023, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10405415 . |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7ab388fb30fe44078bc4f4ff113e6492 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2052-1847 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| spelling | doaj-art-7ab388fb30fe44078bc4f4ff113e64922025-08-20T03:05:53ZengBMCBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation2052-18472025-08-0117111410.1186/s13102-025-01120-7Effects of short physical activity sessions on physical fitness and cognitive control in Norwegian upper secondary school students: the MOVE12 pilot studySvein Barene0Harald Oseland1Rolf Inge Ølberg2Sigbjørn Litleskare3Department of Public Health and Sport Science, University of Inland NorwayDepartment of Natural Sciences, Practical-Aesthetic, Social and Religious Studies, Østfold University CollegeDepartment of Public Health, Østfold County CouncilDepartment of Public Health and Sport Science, University of Inland NorwayAbstract Background The MOVE12 pilot study investigated the effects of integrating brief, student-led physical activity sessions on fitness and cognitive control in Norwegian upper secondary school students. The MOVE-break concept integrates strength, endurance, and playful activities into classroom settings to counteract sedentary behavior. Methods This 12-week cluster-randomized controlled trial enrolled 517 first-year students from academic and vocational programs. Classes were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group was encouraged to conduct two daily Move-breaks sessions, each lasting 6–7 min, during classroom instruction. Physical fitness was assessed through aerobic fitness, muscular strength, flexibility, and postural control tests. Cognitive control was evaluated using the Eriksen Flanker and Stroop tasks. Results No significant between-group differences were observed in aerobic fitness, muscular strength, flexibility, or postural control over the intervention period. However, within-group improvements were detected in the intervention group for handgrip strength and standing long jump performance. Notably, despite differences in exercise intensity between students in academic and vocational programs, both groups showed significant improvements in cognitive control. Conclusions These findings highlight the potential of brief, student-led physical activity sessions to enhance cognitive control in adolescents, irrespective of educational program or intensity levels. While no substantial improvements in physical fitness were observed, the cognitive benefits highlight the potential of integrating structured movement sessions into the school day. Further research should explore optimized intervention strategies and long-term effects on both cognitive and physical health outcomes. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN10405415. Registered 14/12/2023, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10405415 .https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01120-7Exercise breaksHigh school pupilsYouthPhysical healthConcentration |
| spellingShingle | Svein Barene Harald Oseland Rolf Inge Ølberg Sigbjørn Litleskare Effects of short physical activity sessions on physical fitness and cognitive control in Norwegian upper secondary school students: the MOVE12 pilot study BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation Exercise breaks High school pupils Youth Physical health Concentration |
| title | Effects of short physical activity sessions on physical fitness and cognitive control in Norwegian upper secondary school students: the MOVE12 pilot study |
| title_full | Effects of short physical activity sessions on physical fitness and cognitive control in Norwegian upper secondary school students: the MOVE12 pilot study |
| title_fullStr | Effects of short physical activity sessions on physical fitness and cognitive control in Norwegian upper secondary school students: the MOVE12 pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of short physical activity sessions on physical fitness and cognitive control in Norwegian upper secondary school students: the MOVE12 pilot study |
| title_short | Effects of short physical activity sessions on physical fitness and cognitive control in Norwegian upper secondary school students: the MOVE12 pilot study |
| title_sort | effects of short physical activity sessions on physical fitness and cognitive control in norwegian upper secondary school students the move12 pilot study |
| topic | Exercise breaks High school pupils Youth Physical health Concentration |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01120-7 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sveinbarene effectsofshortphysicalactivitysessionsonphysicalfitnessandcognitivecontrolinnorwegianuppersecondaryschoolstudentsthemove12pilotstudy AT haraldoseland effectsofshortphysicalactivitysessionsonphysicalfitnessandcognitivecontrolinnorwegianuppersecondaryschoolstudentsthemove12pilotstudy AT rolfingeølberg effectsofshortphysicalactivitysessionsonphysicalfitnessandcognitivecontrolinnorwegianuppersecondaryschoolstudentsthemove12pilotstudy AT sigbjørnlitleskare effectsofshortphysicalactivitysessionsonphysicalfitnessandcognitivecontrolinnorwegianuppersecondaryschoolstudentsthemove12pilotstudy |