Movement and Motivation in Learning

One study from Crete, Greece took a different approach to exploring the benefits of a physically active classroom. This study wanted to find out what effect integrating physical movement into elementary lessons might have on the learner's intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is when a task is found to be rewarding in and of itself, unlike external motivation in which some other motivator is attached to the task. Researchers found that incorporating physical activity into lessons can indeed increase the intrinsic motivation of students.

One hundred forty-seven fourth through sixth graders from fifteen different classrooms took part in the two week study. For six consecutive lessons in the subjects of language arts, math or social studies,, students' motivation was measured using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. The first, second, fourth and sixth lessons were taught with no change to the normal routine as a control. The third and fifth lessons incorporated ten minutes of physical activity into the lesson. These physical activities required few, if any, materials and were designed to be enjoyable and accessible for all students.

Researchers used the a simplified version of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory to gauge students' levels of motivation in the last five minutes of each lesson. They used four out of the five different categories of the measure: Interest/Enjoyment, Perceived Competence, Effort, Value/Usefulness and Pressure/Tension. During the intervention lessons, student's reported levels of "Interest/Enjoyment" significant increased when compared to the regular lessons. The Perceived Competence and Effort measures also significantly increased during the lessons that incorporated physical movement. The measure found no negative effects from the intervention lessons. The measure found no feelings of increased pressure from these lessons, and the Perceived Value of the lessons did not decrease when compared to the non-movement lessons.

This study has important implications for the benefits of integrating physical movement into the classroom. While other studies have found that physical activity during learning can increase achievement, this study discovered that movement can also serve to motivate learners. Years of education research have supported the connection between intrinsic motivation and learning. This study may explain the root cause of why incorporating movement into lesson can increase achievement: because students find this lessons more enjoyable and engaging. I am excited to see whether integrating physical movement into my own lessons will have the same effect for my students.

Vazou, S., Gavrilou, P., Mamalaki, E., Papanastasiou, A., & Sioumala, N. (2012). Does integrating physical activity in the elementary school classroom influence academic motivation? International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 10(4), 251-263. doi: 10.1080/1612197X.2012.682368