Running head: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

PPE 310: Health Literacy for Schools

Physical Activity and Mental Health
Signature Assignment
Melissa Fitzpatrick and Alexandra Uczekaj
Course #26040 Cesar Chavez
Dr. Hesse

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Introduction
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Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. It keeps your body fit and strong and helps
you to life a better lifestyle. What people often overlook is the positive affect that physical
activity can have on our mental health. Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which
every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can
work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community
(Landers, 2001). As educators it is important to have a solid understanding of mental health
disorders. Our students are at a pivotal time in their development and their mental health is
changing and growing as much as their bodies are.
Physical activity is important for people of all ages, but especially important for our young
students. Physical activity or exercise can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing
several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease (Janssen, I., & LeBlanc,
A, 2010). In addition to a well-balanced diet physical activity can increase your life span. Those
who lack physical exercise are more likely than their active counter parts to develop health issues
later in life, regardless of weight and diet. Learning the importance of physical activity should be
a part of the general curriculum in all schools.
It has been claimed that vigorous physical activity has positive effects on mental health in
both clinical and nonclinical populations (Taylor, 1985). Any classroom teacher can also tell you
firsthand what a positive effect exercise and activity has on students daily. Physical activity can
help improve disorders such as anxiety and schizophrenia as well as improve cognitive function

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in all areas. Physical activity and exercise can have immediate and long-term health benefits. It is
important to teach our students about these benefits and help encourage them to develop these
habits at an early age and continue them throughout the span of their life.
Literature Review
The relation of physical activity and exercise to mental health states that mental disorders
are of major public health significance. Multiple studies have proven that physical activity has
positive effects on mental health. The article also discusses the huge impact physical exercise can
make on people who suffer from depression. Physical activity and exercise offers benefits to all,
not just those who suffer from mental health issues. The article also address more should be done
to discover the length of time needed to see the effects (Taylor, 1985).
Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services states that it is critical to fully understand the benefits of physical
activity in correlation to physiologic functioning. Although it is expressed as common
knowledge that exercise is healthful there is a significant portion of the population that is not
staying active daily. The article dives into a focus on school-based interventions for students and
after school programs that aim to be an early intervention for the youth (U.S. Department, 1995).
Physical activity and mental health. relates physical activity with improved psychological
health. The article also discusses the general advantages of physical exercise in terms of keeping
the body healthy but emphasizes the importance exercise has on the mind as well. This article
focuses on research studies, which sought to find the relationship between increase physical
exercise and mental health issues. The author also goes into detail about studies that compare the
traditional treatment of mental health disorders versus an increase in physical activity.

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Review Systematic of the health benefits of physical activity and fitness in school-aged
children and youth addresses the importance of children ages five to seventeen participating in
exercise and the association it has with numerous health benefits. This study reports the current
overview of physical activity guidelines of school-aged children and the effects it creates long
term. Furthermore it looks at the types of physical activities that are important for educators to
look into as they plan their curriculum. This article links healthy activity to lowered health risks
and heightened health benefits (Janssen, 2010).
Evidence based physical activity for school-age youth looks at the effects of physical
activity on mental health in school aged children. The research looks at physical activity in
increments of thirty-forty-five minutes occurring three-five days per week. The article states the
amount of physical activity needed to maintain balanced mental health increases with the amount
of time children spend inactive. Overall it was determined that school aged youth should engage
in an hour or more of physical activity daily. The author also discusses the importance of keeping
the activity developmentally and age appropriate for students in order to increase success
(Strong, 2005).
School Context.
Valley View Elementary in the Roosevelt school district is a public school. As of 2014
there were 581 students enrolled all of which received free and reduced breakfast and lunch.
Valley View is a K-8 title one school with an average of twenty-two students per class. 88% of
students are Hispanic with the other 12% being African American or white. The school has a
petting zoo in which students participate in taking care of the animals. Valley View ranks 847th
out of 929 public elementary schools in Arizona. The school is in a suburban neighborhood in
South Phoenix, Arizona.

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Synthesis of Current Literature
Each article ultimately concluded that there is a definite correlation between physical
activity and mental health. Incorporating physical activity into the classroom on a daily basis can
greatly improve our students mental health. When students are active in the classroom they are
more likely to take these healthy habits out with them into the real world. The articles also
discussed the importance education plays in helping students to improve their mental health.
Children spend the majority of their day at school, so it is on us as educators to help incorporate
healthy practices into the classroom.
In order to make a positive impact on students mental health educators need to be trained
on the topics of mental health issues and including physical activity in the classroom. Some
teachers do not know where to begin when incorporating physical activity, or have no idea how
big of an impact it can make so districts must provide training and information so that educators
can be confident in what they are bringing to the classroom. It is important that the program be
school wide so that all faculty, staff, and student can participate and feel passionate about the
difference it makes.
The overall conclusion of these articles is that living a healthy and active lifestyle can
greatly improve a persons mental health. Incorporating physical activity into the classroom
helps our students to be better learners, as well as improve their physical bodies, but most
importantly can keep their minds healthy. With mental health issues becoming less of a taboo and
more openly discussed educators should be encouraged to discuss these matters with their
students and work to ensure students are experiencing the benefits of physical activity daily.

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Practical Implications
In order to implement a school wide fitness program there are many practical
implications to promoting mental health and fitness within schools. These include, but are not
limited to marketing how the program, Sharpen the Saw, would work in real time. Teacher
professional developments in which they learn how to implement these skills and activities.
Scheduling and curriculum to set aside time to teach students these important habits. This
program requires participation from all parties involved and for this reason it is important
students are recognized for their efforts in sharpening the saw, in other words working to take
care of both the body and mind.
Marketing
Properly marketing this program will include a variety of base focuses. Not only is it
critical to engage parent and student support, but incorporating the need for community and
teacher engagement will be the greatest step. During the teacher professional developments
scheduled throughout the month, the teachers will receive the statistics and reasoning behind the
program. In order for them to get the most and feel compelled to create this as a focus in the
school and in the classroom, examples will be given. Throughout the school, anchor flyers, made
by the students will be posted about benefits of a healthy mind and healthy life. These will help
serve as a constant reminder to students of the importance of living healthy while giving them a
sense of pride in the work they have put in. Furthermore the weekly in class lessons that
incorporate health and fitness will be an intrinsic marketing tool as it is incorporated into their
learning structure.

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Teacher Professional Development see Appendix A
Sharpen the Saw will not work without the commitment of teaching staff and faculty. It is
important that there is time set aside for professional developments that educate the teachers on
different ways to not only incorporate physical activity into the classroom, but also to teach
about the impact physical activity has on the mental health of students. There will be an initial
PD to introduce the topic of mental health in our schools and a follow up PD that provides
resources and information on how to incorporate physical activity into the classroom. These two
professional developments are mandatory and crucial in order to create a successful fitness
program in the school.
Scheduling and Curriculum see Appendix B
In order to effectively carry out this fitness program, there needs to be attention on
scheduling of information presented. The students and faculty of this school should be given the
best opportunity to succeed through careful planning and execution of what the administration
wants them to learn. By initiating student choice in the weekly activities and lessons, it will
become second nature to incorporate these healthy practices into their weekly schedules even
beyond the classroom. The teachers need the support to create an environment of mentally and
physically fit students and by incorporating the curriculum of activities that are engaging and
exciting. Soon, students will look forward to these opportunities to make their own mental health
activities and learn about new ones that have not been addressed yet. Something as simple as
making stress balls and learning about why is helps can make a difference in the student and
teachers days. When all activity is encompassed and connected back to helping students, there
will be a greater attention to growth.

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Recognition see Appendix C
It is very important that students feel valued when they perform a certain task and are
recognized for their hard work. Through the implementation of Sharpen the Saw students will be
given a certificate for sharpening the saw. Sharpening the saw refers to anything students do to
take care of their bodies and minds. Any faculty member at any time can recognize students for
their efforts to take care of themselves both physically and mentally. Whether they are running an
extra mile in PE class or using a stress ball to calm themselves down students will be recognized
for these healthy habits.
Family and Community Development
In order for the Sharpen the Saw Initiative to be successful families in the community
must be involved. Parents can be taught about the importance of healthy and active lifestyles and
implement these habits at home. Children that live an active life are more likely to be successful
in school and create healthy habits that will last a lifetime. In addition, parents can talk to
students at home about mental health issues and why exercise is so important. Without family
involvement this program is less likely to succeed.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that exercise is good for the human body. Healthy and active lifestyles
lead to longer lives and numerous health benefits, but what people often overlook is the many
benefits physical exercise can have on mental health. Mental health ranges in everything from
schizophrenia, depression, and coping with everyday stresses of life. In order to help a student
reach their full potential, we as educators must understand and accommodate students with
mental health disorders. Students grow and develop rapidly during their schooling years, but it

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also important to note their mental health is changing and growing as much if not more than their
bodies are.
Physical activity is crucial for our young students even more so than adults. If students
are not taught the importance of physical activity, or taking care of the mind and body they are
more likely to develop issues later in life both physically and mentally. The Sharpen the Saw
initiative described above will greatly help schools develop healthy learning habits that keep
students active an engaged.
In one year, this initiative should be not only school-wide, but implemented throughout
the entire district. After three years the hope is that schools will be more self-sufficient and able
to implement these habits from the beginning of the school year and ensure they are running
smoothly. Eventually, after five years, schools should not only be complexly self-sufficient in
implementing this initiative, they can change things to be more tailor made for their school. It is
so important to teach our students about the benefits of physical exercise, help encourage them to
develop these habits at an early age, and continue them throughout the span of their life. This
program will do just that.

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References
Janssen, I., & LeBlanc, A. G. (2010). Review Systematic review of the health benefits of
physical activity and fitness in school-aged children and youth. International Journal of
Behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 7(40), 1-16. Chicago
Landers, D. M., & Arent, S. M. (2001). Physical activity and mental health. Handbook of sport
psychology, 2, 740-765.
Strong, W. B., Malina, R. M., Blimkie, C. J., Daniels, S. R., Dishman, R. K.,
Gutin, B., ... & Rowland, T. (2005). Evidence based physical activity for
school-age youth. The Journal of pediatrics, 146(6), 732-737.
Taylor, C. B., Sallis, J. F., & Needle, R. (1985). The relation of physical activity and exercise to
mental health. Public Health Reports, 100(2), 195202.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the
Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion, 1996.

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Appendix - A

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Appendix B
Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

17

18

19

24

25

8
15

2
Classroom
Choice
9
Classroom
Choice
16
Classroom
Choice

Friday

Saturday

22

23

20
Mental Health
PD

21

26

27
Mental Health
Lesson 1

28

29
Sharpen the
Saw Awards

30

4
Mental Health
Lesson 2
11
Mental Health
Lesson 3
18
Mental Health
Lesson 4

6
Sharpen the
Saw Awards
13
Sharpen the
Saw Awards
20
Sharpen the
Saw Awards

Introduce
classroom
choice

April/May 2016
Wednesday Thursday

10
17

Introduce
initiative to
class

12
19

14
21

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Appendix - C

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Criteria
with
Professiona
PHYSICAL
l Standards
Referenced
Outline
Outline
Turned
In(Already
submitted
for points)

(5)
Exemplary
(97 100%)
ACTIVITY AND

(4) Highly
(3) Proficient
Proficient
(83 92%)
(93 96%)
MENTAL HEALTH
15

10 Points
Logical,
Brief outline
detailed
with at least 5
outline with
original peer
at least 5
reviewed
original peer references
reviewed
written in APA
references
format is
written in
submitted.
APA format
is submitted
with a
technology
choice
selected to
embed the
assignment.

(2)
Approaching
Proficient
(73 82%)

(1)
Unsatisfactor
y
(72%
and below)

Brief outline
with some
references but
not 5 original
peer reviewed
references
written in APA
format are
submitted.

Brief outline
with one or
no
references
submitted.

No outline
was
submitted.

Introduction is
addressed well,
somewhat
organized and
created a plan
for the paper.

Introduction
is addressed
adequately.

Introduction
is omitted or
was
disorganized
and did not
create a plan
for the paper.

1. Literature
review may
address major
issues, but
issues may not

1. Literature
review does
not address
the major
issues in the

1. Literature
review does
not have the
depth of
knowledge

5 x 2=10
points
Introduction
10 Points
Introductio Introduction Introduction is
n to the
is fully
fully developed
topic and
developed,
with all topics
overview
well
introduced.
(In your
organized,
purpose
introduces all
statement
topics,
also
created a
introduce
plan for the
all
paper and
subtopics) invites the
InTASC
reader to
1c,k; 5k;
read further.
9f; 10h
NAEYC
5 x 2=10
6b
points
NETS-T
3a,d; 4a,c
CEC
EC2S1;
CC7K1;
EC7K1;CC
9K4;CC9S
8
Literature Review
15 Points
Adequacy
1. Literature 1. Literature
of
review
review
Knowledge highlights
addresses
(includes 5 major issues major issues in
peer
in the area.
the area.

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