Schools Promoting Health in Italy: Active Breaks in Primary Schools

Despite the well-documented benefits of physical activity on health and well-being, a significant portion of the youth population remains insufficiently active, raising concerns about the health risks associated with sedentary behaviour. To address this issue, numerous multicomponent interventions have been proposed in schools, with a focus on promoting physical activity within the school environment. Active breaks, short periods of structured physical activity integrated into the curriculum, constitute a promising strategy to counteract sedentary behaviour and promote healthy lifestyles among students, contributing to meeting daily physical activity recommendations. The aim of this contribution is to present, based on evidence and good practices, the objectives of active breaks, classification methods, and organizational and proposal methods to students. The contribution presents the strategy of active breaks present in various projects in Italian schools. Active breaks can enhance cognitive functions and promote a meaningful learning environment, helping to improve classroom behaviour and positively impacting academic performance. By integrating active breaks into the school curriculum, teachers can promote physical activity and the well-being of students. However, proper implementation requires well-defined planning regarding objectives, activities, and teaching methodologies, considering environments, safety, and teacher training.