“Virtual Traveller” (VT) intervention delivered using classroom interactive whiteboards.

Initiative Description: For 6 weeks, intervention children received 10-minute physically active sessions three times a week during Math and English lessons (VT group: n = 113). Children in control schools received regular teaching. Sessions included embedded Google Earth videos showing transitions between different global locations. Accompanying text provided questions on session content and prompted children to simulate appropriate on-the-spot movements of moderate-to-vigorous intensity as they “traveled” to and interacted with locations. For example, children ran on-the-spot as they traveled between London and New York City when learning about explanation texts, before performing jumping jacks or high kicks to show whether the quiz questions on the topic were true or false

Study results: The VT program reduced sedentary behavior and increased physical activity during lesson time but not across overall school or weekend days. VT also improved on-task behavior but had no effect on student engagement.

Reference: Norris, E., Dunsmuir, S., Duke-Williams, O., Stamatakis, E., & Shelton, N. (2018). Physically Active Lessons Improve Lesson Activity and On-Task Behavior: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of the “Virtual Traveller” Intervention. Health Education & Behavior, 1090198118762106.

Level of Evidence: Excellent