5 minute walk & talk: The professor who makes her students jog during sociology class
Jun 4, 2024
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Professor Jennifer Lundquist incorporates movement breaks in her office and classroom. She discusses changing her wardrobe, making students jog during class, and why sitting through a long lecture isn't an option. Learn how movement can enhance engagement and cognitive function in teaching practices and daily routines.
Integrating movement breaks into the workday improves cardiovascular health and student engagement.
Normalizing public movement breaks can encourage others to prioritize physical activity for well-being.
Deep dives
The Benefits of Movement Breaks
Incorporating movement breaks into the workday, as discussed by Jennifer Lundquist, provides numerous benefits. Lundquist, a professor at UMass Amherst, initially started movement breaks due to a sprained ankle and continued even after recovery. It was found that interrupting sitting with short exercise breaks is more beneficial for cardiovascular health than continuous long sessions. In her classes, Lundquist integrates movement activities for students to prevent boredom and maintain engagement with the material. These movement breaks help combat fatigue and improve focus.
Unapologetic Integration of Movement Breaks
Jennifer Lundquist advocates for unapologetically integrating movement breaks into daily activities. She emphasizes not being embarrassed to take movement breaks publicly, even suggesting doing squats at a coffee shop. By normalizing movement breaks, others may also be encouraged to adopt similar practices. Lundquist's approach of incorporating small bouts of exercise throughout the day, whether in professional settings or public spaces, showcases the importance of prioritizing physical activity for overall well-being.
Professor Jennifer Lundquist has been taking movement breaks in her office and classroom for 13 years(!) and she's learned a thing or two. Move with her and Manoush as they discuss how she's changed her wardrobe, why sitting through a three-hour lecture isn't an option, and what students think when she gets them jogging around the lecture hall.
Let us know how your movement breaks are going. Send us a voice memo or email us at BodyElectric@npr.org.
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