Physical Activity and Schools

Why it's important

Active students are better learners. Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence is important for promoting lifelong health and well-being and preventing various health conditions.

For more information about the benefits of physical activity and the Physical Activity Guidelines, 2nd edition, visit Physical Activity Guidelines for School-Aged Children and Adolescents.

Benefits of physical activity for students

• Promotes lifelong health and well-being.
• Improves their grades and test scores.
• Helps them focus while in class.

Download this Infographic to see all the benefits of school-based physical activity.

Developing healthy habits

Schools are in a unique position to help students get the daily recommended 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Schools can help students move more by offering high-quality physical education and incorporating opportunities for physical activity before, during, and after the school day as part of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Plan (CSPAP).

A CSPAP is a multi-component approach by which school districts and schools use all opportunities for students to be physically active, meet the nationally-recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day, and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime. A CSPAP includes 5 components:

• Physical Education
• Physical Activity During School
• Physical Activity Before & After School
• Staff Involvement
• Family & Community Engagement

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What CDC is doing

Find out what the Division of Adolescent and School Health is doing nationwide to help more students become physically active.

Resources for schools

• The Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) Framework – The framework outlines professional development opportunities and resources to help schools implement a CSPAP. The framework is helpful for school health professionals, school administrators, physical education teachers, other school staff, and parents.
• The Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs Guide – A program guide for creating, evaluating, and improving existing physical activity programs. The guide can be helpful to an existing school health council or wellness committee, or to a new committee. These committees may comprise physical education coordinators and teachers, classroom teachers, school administrators, recess supervisors, before- and after-school program supervisors, parents, and community members.
• The CSPAP e-learning module helps educators understand the process for developing, implementing, and evaluating a CSPAP while also highlighting the benefits of youth physical activity

Resources

• CDC Ideas for Parents: Physical Activity Before and After School
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation | Healthy Out-of-School Time Assessment
  
• Data Brief: Provide Physical Activity Before and After School
• Healthy Eating, Physical Activity, and Health Equity in Out-of-School Time
• Strategies for Physical Activity Through Community Design