For elementary school students, sitting at a desk for up to six hours may not be the best learning environment. Some schools turn to extending recess, or having more outdoor activities, but a school in North Carolina decided to turn to exercise bikes. 

Ward Elementary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, are bringing in exercising bikes so students can work out while they learn, said an article on FastCoExist.com. This initiative is part of the Read and Ride Program, which started at Ward five years ago. At Ward, one classroom is filled with exercising bikes, and a full-class size can sit on the bikes, exercise, and read their favorite books at the same time, the article said. The program has expanded to 30 other schools.  

"Riding exercise bikes makes reading fun for many kids who get frustrated when they read," said Scott Ertl, who started the program. "They have a way to release that frustration they feel while they ride."

The combination of reading and exercising, the article said, "burns calories, but it turns out that it also helps students learn better."

"As the elementary school analyzed testing data at the end of school year, they found that students who had spent the most time in the program achieved an 83 percent proficiency in reading, while those who spent the least time in the program had failing scores--only 41 percent proficiency."

"Many students who are overweight struggle with sports and activities since they don't want to always be last or lose," Ertl said. "On exercise bikes, students are able to pace themselves and exert themselves at their own level--without anyone noticing when they slow down or take a break."

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Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor