2026-05-13T08:29:22Zhttps://keep.lib.asu.edu/oai/request

oai:keep.lib.asu.edu:node-2000322025-07-17T19:39:31Zoai_pmh:alloai_pmh:repo_items

200032 https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.2.N.200032 http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2025-05 23 pages Mendez, Callie Sturgess, Jessica Spanierman, Lisa Barrett, The Honors College School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology <p>This thesis speaks to the interaction between physical activity, academic stress, and achievement for elementary school children, specifically those in the Gilbert Public Schools district. From life experience as well as scholarly literature, the study documents the growing issue of academic stress in younger students and looks at physical activity as a viable intervention. A comprehensive literature review verifies that physical activity positively influences mental health, cognition, and academic achievement. As a response to this issue in a real-world context, the thesis proposes a pilot program that incorporates short, planned physical activity breaks and active learning into the school day. The pilot aims to evaluate the impacts of regular movement on student focus, stress, and grades. Previous research suggests that general physical activity not only improves student well-being, but that physically active learning spaces incorporating physical movement with academic work (PAAL) have an even greater influence, particularly in math and executive function abilities. In its call for the implementation of the pilot, the thesis encourages policy change to improve students' health and academic performance by promoting active learning environments.</p> Physical Activitity Academic Stress Academic Performance The Impact Physical Activity has on Students' Academic Stress and Performance