Dr. D. Breithecker „Bodies in motion“ an ergo-dynamic concept for holistic learning and human development School Symposium Feb. 6-7, 2009 / Tampa, FL Dr. Dieter Breithecker Federal Institute on the Development of Posture and Exercise Wiesbaden, Germany

Schooling and Learning Dr. D. Breithecker Schooling and Learning Our senses evolved to work together which means that we learn best if we stimulate several senses at once. We have to satisfy the entire sensory system with a natural stimulation

Get out of the sitting trap Dr. D. Breithecker Get out of the sitting trap Our learning performance is deeply affected by the (emotional) environment in which the learning takes place Actual concepts of learning have to be supported by an „ergo-dynamic“ environment

Dr. D. Breithecker We carry in us the heritage of evolution Movement is an anthropological necessity The human brain evolved too The past is the key for our future Therefore adolescents do need a special challenging environment

Exercising boosts brain power Dr. D. Breithecker Exercising boosts brain power Children have a strong natural impulse to be active. They are organising their development Brain development (synaptic switching ) is basing on movement. „Use it or lose it“

What we have to know about learning and moving Dr. D. Breithecker What we have to know about learning and moving There is a strong relationship between movement and mental fitness. The commonly held opinion that movement detracts from attention and concentration is no longer valid. We have to accept the anthropological law that a human being must move and that the unit of mind and body must never be overlooked. Zunächst greift sie gern alte Weisheiten auf (vgl. Graf u.a.) oder geht von Alltagserfahrungen Erwachsener aus (Teuchert-Noodt)! Beide bestätigen, das Empfinden der Kinder, dass der Zusammenhang von Bewegung und Lernen offenkundig wichtig ist! Welche Ergebnisse kann man nennen? Eine Vielzahl! Amerikanische Forschung, die den Zusammenhang von akademischer Leistung und Bewegung in verschiedenen Studien belegen, die den Zusammenhang als bedeutungsvoll herausstellen, ihn neutral darstellen aber nie darstellen, dass Bewegung Lernen stört ... Vgl. Graf 2003, Dordel 2003 vgl. www.schulsport-nrw.de

The socialization of children Dr. D. Breithecker The socialization of children The majority of problems related to young people that physicians have seen an alarming case of include less physical activities and an increase of sedentary and static activities (computer, videogames, television) which increases risk for injury

E r g o n o m i c s a subject for a school as a place of work? Dr. D. Breithecker E r g o n o m i c s a subject for a school as a place of work? Adolescents already sit to long and too often in static postures, especially when they work with computer technology. More and more students experience a number of sitting related musculoskeletal symptons and disorders. Static sitting students stress their body‘s tissues, becoming more uncomfortable, more tired, and less productive.

Sit it out or act ?! Health – Relaxation – Well-Being – Attention Dr. D. Breithecker Sit it out or act ?! Health – Relaxation – Well-Being – Attention and Concentration Ergonomic conditions and concepts will decide as one important component

Guidelines - ergonomic seating Dr. D. Breithecker Guidelines - ergonomic seating Growing adolescents need simple height adjustments on chairs and desks 2. The chair should naturally follow the movement needs of the body 3. The furniture has to be in accordance to modern concepts of learning and schooling

Dr. D. Breithecker All people are alike … ... only some are a little bigger incorrectly-sized school furniture have dramatic health consequences The adjustment of chairs and desks

Sitting – a serious health problem ? Dr. D. Breithecker Sitting – a serious health problem ? Sitting is a comfortable body posture – take the weight off your feet, relax your muscles Sit down and stand up Problem: the time between sitting down and standing up Movement is the key to good health, especially when a person is seated.

Dr. D. Breithecker Learn by children / Learn by Nature The natural behaviour of the kids is decisive for the design and the function of chairs Make peace with fidgeting! It only takes about 10 minutes – or less – before a student begins to fidget, thanks to the sensomotoric system. Regarding adolescents, it is evident, that the activity of the brain is influenced by the support of movement.“ (Maria Montessori) Therefore their chairs should be designed to encourage movement rather than restrict it

Dr. D. Breithecker Dynamic Sitting: Improving Oxygen Flow While Seated Breithecker / Ludwig 2008 Static sitting Cells need oxygen, transported by blood, to burn energy. Blood also carries carbon dioxide - waste from the body‘s burned energy - out of the cells. The effectiveness of this process is facilitated through tissue perfusion, a measure of the excange of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the body‘s tissues. It‘s the basis for keeping individual cells and ultimately human beings alive. Dynamic sitting

What the brain needs to survive Dr. D. Breithecker What the brain needs to survive O 2

Learning and Schooling – “ergo-dynamic” solutions are decisive Dr. D. Breithecker Mehr Flexibilität und Mobilität Learning and Schooling – “ergo-dynamic” solutions are decisive Buildings and classrooms should be no prisons or cages where teachers only transfer knowledge

Dr. D. Breithecker Attention and concentration problems / school morning 1000 Students, Grade 7-12, Breithecker 2007

Dr. D. Breithecker If we do want more individualized and differentiated teaching we also have to require for an suitable environment

Dr. D. Breithecker Bodies in Motion We do need solutions which accept the body’s intrinsic need for movement and variation so that users are encouraged to carry out dynamic body posture behaviours. The best body posture is always the next one - 50% sitting (dynamic sitting) - 30% standing 20% walking around

Dr. D. Breithecker Researches: Comparison study of physical activities ergo-dynamic classroom / 4 years (Breithecker 2005)

Dr. D. Breithecker Researches: Comparison study of physical activities Traditional school class / 4 years (Breithecker 2005)

Researches: .. movement also benefits the head (Breithecker 2005) Dr. D. Breithecker Researches: .. movement also benefits the head (Breithecker 2005) Researches have shown that giving students (Class B) increased opportunities to move while seated – rocking, swiveling – triggered far-above-average levels of attention and concentration during test taking. A B It is easier to get good academic results when you are working in an environment which encourages you to constantly vary your body posture!

Conclusion We need to start NOW to protect Dr. D. Breithecker Conclusion We need to start NOW to protect those who cannot protect themselves We have to integrate the principles of ergonomics into the lives of children Children are the adults of tomorrow

Further informations to the concept contact Dr. Dieter Breithecker Dr. D. Breithecker Further informations to the concept contact Dr. Dieter Breithecker breithecker@bag-haltungundbewegung.de www.haltungundbewegung.de