Study: in-class physical exercise good for students

CHICAGO - Five studies from the University of Michigan found that two-minute bursts of in-class exercise breaks increased the amount of daily exercise for elementary children without hurting math performance.

More importantly, when the practice was incorporated into classrooms across southeast Michigan, teachers found the breaks were manageable and didn't disrupt learning.

While 16 minutes doesn't sound like much, it adds up, says Rebecca Hasson, principal researcher and one of the lead authors. Kids are supposed to get an hour of exercise a day - 30 minutes of that during school. Most don't.