title: Outcomes and process evaluation of a programme integrating physical activity into the primary school mathematics curriculum: The EASY Minds pilot randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the feasibility of the 'Encouraging Activity to Stimulate Young (EASY) Minds' programme, a school-based intervention for integrating physical activity (PA) into mathematics lessons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two classes from a single school (n = 54) were randomised to receive either the 6-week EASY Minds intervention (n = 27) or follow their usual school programme (n = 27). The intervention involved the embedding of PA across the pre-existing mathematics programme for 3 × 60 min sessions per week. Changes in PA were measured using accelerometers and 'on task' behaviour was measured using momentary time sampling observation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using intention-to-treat analysis, significant intervention effects were found for MVPA (9.7%, 95%CI = 7.6, 11.8, p ≤ 0.001) and sedentary time (-22.4%, CI = -24.9, -12.2, p ≤ 0.001) for the intervention group during Mathematics lessons (9.30 am-10.30 am). Significant intervention effects were also shown for MVPA 8.7% (95% CI = 5.8, 11.6, p ≤ 0.001 and sedentary time -18.6% (95% CI = -24.9, -12.2, p ≤ 0.001) across the whole school day. Furthermore, children displayed significantly greater 'on-task' behaviour across the intervention period with a 19.9% (95%CI = 2.4, 37.4, p ≤ 0.03) mean difference between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EASY Minds programme demonstrated that integrating movement across the primary mathematics syllabus is feasible and efficacious in enhancing school based-PA and improving on-task behaviour in mathematics lessons.
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Australia; Faculty of Education & Arts, University of Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: Nicholas.Riley@newcastle.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Australia; Faculty of Education & Arts, University of Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lubans
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Australia; Faculty of Education & Arts, University of Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Australia; Faculty of Education & Arts, University of Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Myles
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D002648:Child; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics / Q000193:education*; D009043:Motor Activity; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012574:Schools; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Integration; Mathematics; On task behaviour; Physical activity; Primary school