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 The commonly held opinion that movement detracts from attention and concentration is no longer valid.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
www.haltungundbewegung.de