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FUTURE RESEARCH NEEDS AND AREAS 
FOR ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION
As stated at the beginning of this Summary, an extensive scientific 
literature demonstrates that regular physical activity promotes growth 
and development in children and adolescents and has multiple benefits 
for physical, mental, and cognitive health. Looking forward, gaps remain 
in knowledge about physical activity and physical education in the school 
environment and key areas in which research would be useful to those who 
are implementing programs and policies designed to improve children’s 
health, development, and academic achievement. These research needs are 
covered in greater detail throughout the report and especially in the final 
chapter. They include topics such as
•
the effects of varying doses, frequency, timing, intermittency, and 
types of physical activity in the school environment;
•
the relationship between motor skills and participation in physical 
activity;
•
baseline estimates of physical activity behaviors in school;
•
standardized data on participation in physical education, including 
the degree of vigorous- or moderate-intensity physical activity in 
these classes;
•
the extent and impact of sedentary behavior in school;
•
the influence of school design elements;
•
the impact of school-community physical activity partnerships;
•
the impact of physical activity–related policies, laws, and regulations 
for schools; and
•
the effectiveness of various physical activity–enhancing strategies in 
schools to address the needs of students who typically have not had 
equal access to opportunities for physical activity. 

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Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
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