Exercise and Academic Performance Study
Approved by the University of Melbourne HREC [Project ID 32873]
Can a short workout boost your learning?
Join our study to find out how exercise affects your ability to learn and remember academic content.
Background
This study aims to investigate how a single short bout of moderate-intensity exercise affects university students' ability to learn and remember information from academic lectures.
In particular, we want to understand if exercising for a short period, immediately before studying, can help students focus on a learning task and perform better on tests, both immediately after learning and a week later. This allows us to evaluate the short-term and long-term impacts of exercise on academic performance. We are also interested in comparing the effects of moderate-intensity exercise with a more passive activity like watching a TV show.
Why is this important
Understanding how common behaviours before studying—such as physical activity or rest—affect learning can help identify simple, practical approaches that students can choose to incorporate into their study routines. By examining these everyday activities, this research aims to provide evidence to guide effective, manageable study practices.
What's Involved?
- 1 campus visit every 7-10 days over 4-5 weeks. This comprises of:
- 2 x 90-minute sessions (exercise or TV watching + studying)
- 2 x 30-minute follow-up tests
- Total time: Approximately 4 hours
- Compensation for your time: $100 gift card at the completion of all the sessions.
Eligibility
- Enrolled in a level 2 School of Biomedical Sciences subject
- Able to participate in physical activity
Interested?
- Download and read the Plain Language Statement
- Take our quick survey to see if you're eligible: Survey Link (https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_6rmo0r1zbCYJPoy)
- We will contact you using your student email address if you are eligible
Questions?
Email us at SocialEngaged-SoTL@unimelb.edu.au
Help shape the future of study strategies!