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

Dr. D. Breithecker

Schooling and LearningSchooling 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

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 evolutionMovement is an anthropological necessity

The past is the key for our future

Therefore adolescents do need a special challenging

environment

The human brain evolved too

Dr. D. Breithecker

Exercising boosts brain powerExercising 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“

Dr. D. Breithecker

What we have to know about learning and movingWhat 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 The commonly held opinion that movement detracts from attention and concentration is no longer valid.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.

Dr. D. Breithecker

The socialization of childrenThe 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

Dr. D. Breithecker

E r g o n o m i c sE r g o n o m i c sa subject for a school as a place of worka 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.

Dr. D. Breithecker

Sit it out or act ?!

Health – Relaxation –

Well-Being – Attention

and Concentration

Ergonomic conditions

and concepts will

decide as one important

componentcomponent

Dr. D. Breithecker

Guidelines - ergonomic seatingGuidelines - ergonomic seating

1.1. Growing adolescents need simple Growing adolescents need simple height adjustments on chairs and height adjustments on chairs and desksdesks

2.2. The chair should naturally follow the The chair should naturally follow the movement needs of the bodymovement needs of the body

3.3. The furnitureThe furniture has to be in has to be in accordance to modern concepts of accordance to modern concepts of learning and schooling 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

Dr. D. Breithecker

Sitting – a serious health problem ?

Movement is the key to good health, especially when a person is seated.

Dr. D. Breithecker

Learn by children / Learn by NatureLearn 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 SeatedBreithecker / Ludwig 2008

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.

Static sitting

Dynamic sitting

Dr. D. Breithecker

What the brain needs to survive

O 2

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 Attention and concentration problems / school morning 1000 Students, Grade 7-12, Breithecker 20071000 Students, Grade 7-12, Breithecker 2007

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

1.lesson

2.lesson

3.lesson

4.lesson

5.lesson

6.lesson

Dr. D. Breithecker

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

Dr. D. Breithecker

Bodies in MotionBodies 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)

4,8

51,520,5

20

3,2

static sit dynam sit standing activities lying floor

Dr. D. Breithecker

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

6124,5

5,59 0

static sit dynam sit standing activities lying floor

Dr. D. Breithecker

Researches: .. movement also benefits the headResearches: .. movement also benefits the head(Breithecker 2005)(Breithecker 2005)

It is easier to get good academic results when you are

working in an environment which encourages you to

constantly vary your body posture!

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

1st hour 3rd hour 5th hour

class A

class B

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

Dr. D. Breithecker

ConclusionConclusion

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

Dr. D. Breithecker

Further informations to the concept

contact

Dr. Dieter Breithecker

breithecker@bag-haltungundbewegung.de

www.haltungundbewegung.de