1. InstantRecess “I’m crazy for pickles, but I like Instant Recess better” --2nd grader Diana Diamant, Kate Lundquist, and Barnaby Ohrstrom Supervised by Dr. Bob Swoap

2. Why NOW?

3. Obesity Rates in the US CDC: Approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese

4. What has changed? now then then now now then now then

5. Physical Activity in Schools U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: In 2006, only 8% of students were offered daily physical activity in schools then

6. Why Instant Recess?"We've engineered exercise out of our daily lives. Now we have to engineer it back in.” * *Shellie Pfohl, executive director of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, & Nutrition

7. What is InstantRecess? • InstantRecess (IR) is a 10-minute physical activity break designed for everyday use by everybody, anywhere, anytime, in any attire. IR • is a unique fusion of popular culture and science to promote physical and mental fitness. • involves movement of major muscle groups to increase blood flow throughout the body & burn calories. • re-invigorates teachers and students to feel more alert and increase their energy levels. Why IR? “So you don’t just be fat in a chair”—1st grader

8. Why Instant Recess?“Getting kids to sit shoulder to shoulder for six hours a day is not going to do it,” Dr. Yancey said. “Even in schools that still have 30-minute periods of physical education or recess, many children get only about five minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.”

9. Everybody up!(Instant Recess:Reggae break) “IR is to get you active so you are not just sitting in a seat doing nothing.”—1st Grader

10. Research Questions:How easily can Instant Recess be implemented in and elementary school?What are the effects of Instant Recess on students?

11. Method

12. Procedure • Determined parameters of the study • Received informed consent from Principal Morgan • Spoke with teachers and gauged interest • Met in January and taught teachers how to do Instant Recess

13. Participants • WD Williams Elementary School • Swannanoa, NC • 13 out of 23 teachers participated during the 8-week study • Kindergarten - 5th Grade (all grades represented; approx. 22 students per classroom)

14. Data Collection • Research Assistants observed classrooms before, during and after IR • Teachers’ documentation • When IR break was implemented • Specific IR break used • Teacher observations • Interviews • Individual students • Teachers • Classes

15. Data Analysis • Preliminary qualitative phenomenological data analysis • Triangulation-”cross-checking” information and conclusions through the use of multiple procedures or sources* • Major trends in the data • * Milinki, A. K. (1999). Cases in qualitative research. Los Angeles, CA: • Pyrczak Publishing.

16. Results

17. Implementation • Teacher participation • Technology • Spacing • Schedule

18. Short-term Effects • Quick transitions back to work • Increased on-task behavior • Decreased hyperactivity • Improved mood “It helps get the wiggles out before a test and calms me down”—2nd grader

19. Long-term Effects • More physically fit • Increased coordination • Improved mood by mastery • Increased understanding • of Instant Recess

20. Discussion • Implications • Positive effect of physical activity in schools • Limitations • Not a random sample • Time constraints • Pilot study

21. Future Directions • Strategies to maximize IR to meet the needs of individual populations • Creating more videos based on student recommendations • Ease of teacher documentation • Quantitative data

22. Acknowledgements • Dr. Bob Swoap • Dr. Toni Yancey • Principal Morgan • Teachers at WD Williams • Students