1. Improving academic test scores and
reducing obesity in young adults
through a program of physical activity
Nelson D. Neal, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Marywood University

2. Purpose of the Project
REDUCE
OBESITY
CREATE
LIFELONG
HABITS
IMPROVE
ACADEMIC
SCORES

3. Purpose of the Project
A minimum of 30 minutes
of moderate to vigorous
physical activity, prior to
academic class work, can
improve the academic test
scores of the students
IMPROVE
ACADEMIC
SCORES
This research study will demonstrates that:

4. Purpose of the Project
REDUCE
OBESITY
The same 30 minutes of
moderate to vigorous
physical activity, prior to
academic class work, can
reduce the percentage of
students who are obese

5. Purpose of the Project
CREATE
LIFELONG
HABITS
The third goal of this project is to instruct
students to become physically active for the
rest of their lives

6. Methods
• 30 to 45 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity,
utilizing appropriate fitness equipment
• Pre-test scores in math and reading
• Pre-test body mass index scores (BMI)
• Marywood University physical education majors will
lead the activity sessions with the school physical
educator
• Students must take English or Math within 2 hours
of the activity class
• Physical activity program will begin January, 2012
and last until May.

7. What I need from your school
• Students start in January, 2012
 20 to 30 to participate in this activity program
 They must have either math or English within
2 periods after activity
 Students in math or English 2nd or 3rd period
will be selected for the program
 45 minutes of their time 5 mornings a week in
1st period physical education

8. What I need from your school
• Space & Faculty
 Space to put the equipment and to run the
program
 At least one physical education teacher as a
supervisor
 English and math teachers to give
standardized tests

9. Benefits of Being Physically Active
IMPROVED
• Attention Span
• Memory
• Learning
Math and reading scores of
those who were physically
active immediately before
being tested rose by 20%
and 1 ½ grade levels,
respectively.
The brain produces more
of a protein that
encourages brain cells to
grow, interconnect, and
communicate in new
ways

10. Benefits of Being Physically Active
IMPROVED
• Behavior
Children go back to class less boisterous, more attentive,
and better behaved compared with kids who have been
sitting in chairs for hours on end
Reduced stress and the
effects of attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD)
Fitness scores go up and
disciplinary incidents go
down

11. Expected Benefits from the Project
• Potentially raise the academic test scores of
students in one Scranton school.
• Demonstrate to other schools in Scranton one part
of a quality physical education program that can be
easily duplicated. (6)
• Add to the existing research on physical activity and
learning.
• Add to the existing research on combating obesity.
• Fitness equipment on loan to your school.

12. What your school will receive
Equipment
• Fitness Machines
 Treadmills, Elliptical, Exercise Bikes
• Fitness Equipment
 Pedometers with heart rate monitors, Yoga mats,
Jump ropes, Aerobic step boxes

13. What your school will receive
Instruction
• Marywood Physical Education Majors will lead the
physical activity 5 days a week.
• Analysis of change from Pre-test to Post-test Math
and English scores
• Analysis of change from Pre-test to Post-test
fitness scores
• The use of specialized fitness equipment during
the project

14. Physical Activity and Academics
After participating in 200 minutes of physical
activity a week:
• 68.5% of students met their goals on state
standardized tests,
• An increase of 13.5% from 55%
Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital (1)
After participation in active games for 40
minutes a day:
• Students’ academic gains were twice as great as
the 20-minutes-a-day group.
Augusta, GA (2)

15. Physical Activity and Academics
Math and reading scores of those who were physically
active immediately before being tested rose by 20%
and 1 ½ grade levels respectively.
Naperville H.S. (3)
The more physical tests third graders passed, the
better they scored on the achievement test.
Naperville, Illinois (4)
After just one semester of vigorous activity the
students showed one and a quarter year’s growth on
the standardized reading test.
Naperville, Illinois (4)

16. I would enjoy undertaking this
project in your school system
and I’m ready to begin.