It seems that the expression "thinking on your feet" might have some scientific evidence behind it, with a new American study finding that students who stand rather than sit in the classroom are better able to complete school tasks.
The health benefits of standing have been the focus of many recent studies which have shown the positive effect that reduced sitting can have on obesity and general health. However this new research, from the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health, is the first to provide evidence for any neurocognitive benefits of standing.
Researchers recruited 34 freshman high school students and gave them a choice of both standing or sitting desks in class.
At both the start of the study, in the fall term, and nearly 28 weeks later in the spring term, the students underwent neurocognitive testing using four computerized tests to assess cognitive skills.
Cognitive skills, such as ability to analyze a task, break it down into steps, and then complete the task, are directly related to the development of academic skills needed by students for memorizing information, solving problems, organizing ideas and time.
Test results after nearly 28 weeks of continued use of standing desks showed significant improvements in both cognitive skills and working memory -- ability to remember and use information when in the middle of an action or over a short period of time, for example following steps of a math equation. Researchers also saw changes in the brain patterns associated with these skills.
The researchers believe that their results could have implications for policy makers, public health professionals and school administrators when looking for a simple and sustainable way to improve physical health and cognitive function in students. The standing desks also require no additional training or instructions.
However the team did acknowledge that although their findings are promising they are preliminary results, and further research on larger samples over a longer period of time, and in a wider range of schools would be useful.
The study was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
As well as neurocognitive benefits, previous research has also shown that there are many other health benefits of more standing and less sitting, with a 2015 study advising that decreasing amount of time sitting down is an effective way to improve health, independently of exercising more.
That study also found that sit-stand desks are one of the most effective methods to increase time spent on your feet.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Mon Jan 18 2016
![Students think best on their feet says new study Students think best on their feet says new study](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-01/81453097347_classroom.jpg)
A US study has found that students who stand rather than sit in the classroom are better able to complete school tasks. - Photo Texas A&M University
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.
Saya tak fitnah Guan Eng, cuma jelaskan siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Presiden Bersatu Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur hari ini bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary
KPT alu-alukan dapatan, cadangan PAC - Zambry
Ini termasuklah cadangan pelaksanaan Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024 kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT).