The association of children's participation in school physical activity opportunities with classroom conduct

Studies consistently demonstrate that providing children with physical activity opportunities in the classroom is related to reduced off-task behavior. This study evaluated the impact of different activity opportunities on teacher redirects of student off-task behaviors in the academic classroom. Observations (n = 13,682) of teacher redirects and activity opportunities across the school day were conducted in one low-income school. A multi-level mixed effects logistic regression explored the likelihood of observing teacher redirects following activity opportunities. Teacher redirects were less likely to occur for up to 60 min following physical activity opportunities in the classroom. Physical activity opportunities outside of the classroom did not reduce teacher redirects. Classroom-based physical activity is a potential strategy for reducing teacher redirects of off-task behavior.