Daily Physical Education as an Academic and Behavioral Intervention

In a school era focused on technology and standardized tests, might the key to some students’ success lie not in more academic work on a device, but in the opportunity to move their bodies outdoors?

Many schools today have an RTI (Response to Intervention) or WIN (What I Need) class schedule that helps provide intervention, engagement and enrichment activities for students. Most of these interventions are offered through an online computer program.

However, Spooner Middle School — located in the Northwoods of Wisconsin – is finding success by getting students away from their screens and taking them outdoors for fresh air and exercise. In this article, I share how daily outdoor physical education can be used as an academic and behavioral intervention.

Bringing Bikes to Our School

About six years ago, I developed a biking curriculum for my PE program. While searching for bike grants, I came an organization called the Specialized Foundation (now called Outride). Attending the organization’s research summit at Stanford University was a transformative experience for me. Hearing neuroscientists present on improved attention and mood after riding was very intriguing.

During that year, I had a well-meaning principal who told our staff, “If it’s not related to math or reading, it’s potentially on the chopping block.” 

At the same time, we had started our first after-school mountain bike club. The parent of one of the students in the club told me about how much more alive their child was in the evening on the days he had biking — and how she wished her child could have the chance to participate every day. 

I began to piece these things together and wondered: What if we could use bikes during the daytime in a strategic way to help students find success?

So, I made a presentation to our school team, and they were on board to do a study.

Bike Intervention Program

My school’s new approach to intervention began about three years ago when we partnered with Outride to pilot a research study. Teachers recommended 24 fifth-graders and 24 sixth-graders, who were then split into two groups per grade. Half the students went out for daily exercise (such as biking), while a control group received traditional computer-based interventions.

The results were encouraging! 

Students who participated in daily outdoor exercise had better academic gains, fewer disciplinary problems, and increased attention in the classroom compared to their peers. We repeated the study for two additional years with similar results.

The class is now a mainstay at the school, with a growing waitlist of students wanting to take part. Because neuroscience research demonstrates positively altered brain activity and improved attention and mood after bike riding, we hold our class in the morning directly before students have their math and language arts classes.

Weather permitting, the class is outdoors year-round. Students spend much of their time mountain biking and hiking in the spring and fall. The winter is filled with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking.

Student and Parent Responses to the Intervention Program

Data aside, many students reported this time being the best part of their day. One student remarked:

“Riding helps me to concentrate in class. I look forward to WIN class because it gives me a sort of escape.” 

Another student exclaimed:

“When I am on a bike, I feel exhilarated. I love the wind pushed against me. The freedom I feel is my favorite part.” 

Parents commented that the class was a “lifesaver,” with one saying, “My son is a better person when he gets his energy out.”

An Extension of PE

Along the way, I got to thinking about the intervention class as an extension of standards-based physical education rather than just an opportunity for physical activity. I realized I didn’t want just anyone operating this group or subbing for me when I was gone, because there were so many pieces to be mindful of — and it’s so much more than just physical activity.

Here are just a few of the elements of the intervention class that correlate to SHAPE America’s National Physical Education Standards:

• Standard 1: Outdoor pursuits techniques
• Standard 2: Decision-making, safety protocols
• Standard 3: Communication, feedback, values
• Standard 4: Self-expression, social interaction, connection, reflection

Activity Ideas

Does your school have some sort of academic support or response to intervention that is strictly academic in nature? Why not try incorporating physical activity for students who need it? 

Biking works best for our students at Spooner Middle School. We have access to bike trails near our school. We even built a mountain bike park on our school grounds for students to enjoy because we recognize how bikes can be used to help our students achieve success.

Biking may also be more beneficial than even other forms of exercise for brain activation. As Dr. Allan Reiss, Director of Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences at Stanford University puts it: “You need to maintain your balance and process a lot of information from your environment, like knowing whether you can squeeze past a tree or how hard you need to brake. You’ve got to coordinate, sense, process, integrate, inhibit, and continually make decisions.”

If biking doesn’t work at your school, here are some other activity ideas:

• Running
• Hiking
• Strength Training
• Cross-Country Skiing

The timing piece is critical. For maximum results, have the students participate in whatever activities you choose either before school or directly before their core classes.

Funding Options

Money is obviously a factor when getting any necessary PE equipment, much less discussing plans to secure a bike fleet or build a bike park.

However, it is possible. 

Over the last 5 years, I have raised $149,000 in grants, awards and donations for PE items, including the bike park and bike fleet. Riding For Focus and the Outride Fund are great places to start, as well as checking with your local hospitals/clinics, professional sports teams, and local businesses.

Does your school have funding options for equipment? Many schools may have the ability to purchase bikes and skis with district funds. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) identifies school health and physical education as part of a student’s well-rounded education, so administrators can use funding opportunities to expand their programs and improve the physical, mental and emotional health of their students.

What is the average amount spent annually on technology devices and other forms of curriculum in your school? If your school believes in helping provide tools for students to succeed, can they find room in their budget to do so through physical activity and physical education?

Key Takeaways for Other Schools 

Do you currently have a WIN class or Response to Intervention class that could incorporate daily physical education as an academic and behavioral intervention?

Here are some final thoughts:

• Have students exercise directly before their core classes for maximum benefit.
• How many physical activity minutes does your school have in a day? All students should get at least 60.
• How many physical education minutes do students get each week? SHAPE America recommends 225 minutes for middle and high school students (150 minutes for elementary). 
• Look for opportunities to increase movement for students who could benefit from it. A before-school club is a good place to start. 

And finally, don’t let cold weather stop you. If our students can get outside each day in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, it’s certainly possible to replicate this program in other states as well.

This blog post is adapted from an article originally written by the author for Wisconsin School News.

Additional Resources

• News Feature on Bike Intervention Program
• Riding For Focus Program Grant
• National Physical Education Standards

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