A systematic review on the effectiveness of brain-breaks® video programming on academic performance and physical activity of school children

Purpose: This study aimed to complete a systematic review of the effect of the Brain Breaks® video program on academic performance and health-related outcomes among schoolchildren.

Methods: A literature search was performed using Scopus, PubMed, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases to identify published manuscripts from December 2017 to December 2023. Dissertations, theses, monographs, and commentaries were excluded from this review.

Results: A total of 15 studies were included in the review. Most studies applied quasi-experimental design and were conducted in Asia and Europe with children. Nine of these studies found that Brain Breaks® improved students' attitudes toward physical activity (PA), and two found that it improved their PA levels. The other studies found that Brain Breaks® improved students' academic performance, perceived pros and cons of PA, transtheoretical model (TTM) constructs, motivation to participate in PA, cognitive function, muscle strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility, as well as the fitness knowledge test and the Fitnessgram test battery results.

Conclusion: It is thought that the Brain Breaks® web-based online video program has the potential to improve the academic performance and health-related physical fitness of school children