Muuvit Adventure evaluated by the University of Bern « Muuvit

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Benefits of physical activity on cognition

Physical activity has benefits for cognitive skills such as observation, verbal and mathematical skills, IQ and memory.

Some findings about the link between exercise and school results:

  • Physical condition is linked to success at school. (Welk et al. 2010)
  • Active children have lower stress levels during the school day. (Lambiase et al. 2010)
  • Physically active pupils are more successful at school, get along well with others and have a better awareness of their own health. Active pupils also plan to continue their studies in high school and university more often than their passive peers. (Kantomaa 2010)
  • Physical activity effects memory, concentration and energy levels. (Hillman et al. 2008 and Coe et al. 2006)
  • Physical activity before school lifts the energy level to better receive learning (Hulley et al. 2008)
  • Physical activity and cognitive functions a have significant positive relationship (Sibley & Etnier, meta analysis 2003)
  • Physical activity has a positive influence on self-esteem (Tremblay et al. 2000)

Read also the recommendation „Physical Activity and Young People“ by the WHO (.pdf)

 

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Playing, interactivity and the learning process

Playful and interactive elements have many functions in the learning process. They can support intelligence, the ability to concentrate, creativity, motivation, lingual development and motor coordination.

Playing and interactivity can help pupils to stay focused and increase willingness to expend effort, especially in phases where ability to concentrate is down.

 

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Learning and moving in the spirit of Muuvit!

Muuvit Adventure is a fun and easy-to-use learning platform that teachers can use to support a healthy lifestyle among their pupils, while enriching their work as educators. The online learning environment consists of information about travel destinations, quizzes, small lists of vocabulary, educational games and easy exercise tips.

Did you know

Video games are often strongly criticized as making children passive. But according to a listing by CNBC, six movement-based games, like Wii Fit and Guitar Hero, are currently among this generation’s top ten favourites. There is even a national programme called Health Games Research with headquarters at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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Childhood obesity is a serious health challenge

According to the WHO, childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Overweight children are also likely to become overweight adults. Diabetes, high risk of cardiovascular illnesses and low self-esteem are just a few examples of problems that flow on from obesity.

Muuvit was developed to fight against increasing obesity in children. A study carried out in Finland pointed out that children continued to be more active even three months after taking part in the Muuvit Adventure.

Read more on the Childhood Obesity page of the World Health Organization WHO.

Muuvit Adventure evaluated by the University of Bern

Muuvit Adventure was evaluated in August 2011 by the Department of Health Research at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine of the University of Bern, with the assistance of Suisse Balance.

The goal of the evaluation was to assess the effort and benefit of the project for teachers, pupils and parents. The research method included telephone interviews with teachers and persons in charge at the cantonal action programme (Kantonales Aktionsprogramm KAP), as well as a focus group with pupils. Parents’ opinions were infered indirectly.

A summary of the results of the evaluation:

  • The implementation, materials and cooperation were viewed by all respondents as very pleasant and in terms of content, outstanding.
  • The relationship between effort and benefit was seen as very balanced. Preparation time for the teachers is minimal and the project is easily viable and integrated. It allows a variety of intense, full-scale approaches without losing sight of the goal.
  • The positive experience with the project has created an interest in and receptiveness of all participants towards further health projects. Each of them would recommend Muuvit to others and be happy to participate again with a new class.
  • Regarding sustainability, the programme still shows potential for improvement. However, in the evaluation follow-up it was pointed out that Muuvit has already been further developed in a number of areas since the evaluation.

“Muuvit implements a number of requirements for a good health promotion project in exemplary fashion. For example, cognitive and emotional elements are deliberately linked, an important target group is addressed, the effort (money, time, implementation effort) is reasonable for all participants. Media skills are developed, and at the social level with regard to both integration in the classroom and the inclusion of parents, the project received top marks.”


Quotes from teachers and pupils

Teachers

“Basically there is a good balance between effort and benefit, and preparation was easy. Muuvit is a great thing while it needs no additional organisation by teachers, as everything has already been set up and planned.”

“We chose the cities in a democratic way. Children suggested cities and supplied arguments in support of these, and the rest of the class decided if they wanted to go there or not. The social interaction in the classroom was really good. The children also visited the home countries of one another together.”

Pupils

“I noticed that healthy food is also tasty.”

“It was a lot of fun to become more active and sporty.”


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