At a glance
- Schools are in a unique position to promote healthy behaviors like physical activity.
- Physical activity during the school day includes recess, physical activity breaks in the classroom, and active lessons in the classroom.
- Schools need flexibility to choose from a variety of evidence-based approaches as part of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Plan (CSPAP).
Overview
Active students are better learners. In a CSPAP, the "Physical Activity During the School Day" component refers to all structured and unstructured opportunities for students to be physically active between the start and end of the school day, outside of physical education class.
School administrators can use a variety of strategies to begin integrating more physical activity into the school day tailored to their setting based on feasibility and resources they have available.
School-level physical activity policies, recess, and active lessons in the classroom are all effective ways to increase student physical activity.
Schools can facilitate increased physical activity during the school day by encouraging students to be active; providing students with space, facilities, equipment and supplies that make participating in activity appealing; and providing organized times and structured physical activities for interested students.
Examples
- Recess and free play (indoor or outdoor)
- Active breaks between academic lessons
- Active learning activities (e.g., movement breaks, active classroom challenges)
- Lunchtime clubs or intramural programs.
- Special events (e.g., fitness challenges, health fairs with active stations)
The "during the school day" component is designed to fill the gaps between physical education classes and to reinforce skills and habits learned in physical education, ensuring students can achieve the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
Resources
The Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs Guide can help schools increase physical activity during the school day. It provides tools and resources to:
- Assess current activity opportunities and barriers
- Plan activities that are safe, fun, and age-appropriate
- Coordinate with physical education, cafeteria, and extracurricular staff
- Monitor participation and adjust as needed
- Engage students and staff in designing and running activities
This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.
The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A Guide for Developing Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2013. Accessed September 6, 2024.
- Sliwa SA, Hawkins GT, Lee SM, Hunt H. A Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child approach to support student physical activity and nutrition: Introduction/methods. J Sch Health. 2023; 93: 750–761.
- Cornett K, Murfay K, Fulton JE. Physical activity interventions during the school day: reviewing policies, practices, and benefits. J Sch Health. 2023; 93: 778–787.
- Community Preventive Services. Physical activity: classroom-based physically active lesson interventions; 2021. Accessed August 7, 2026. https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/physical-activity-classroom-based-physically-active-lesson-interventions.html