At a glance
- Benefits students by increasing their overall physical activity and improving grades and test scores
- Helps students find activities they enjoy and might pursue long term
- Can reinforce positive health behaviors outside of the school day
Why it's important
Physical activity before and after school can help students get the recommended 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day. These activities include walking or biking to and from school programs. It also includes participating in:
- Intramural programs (sports organized by the school or community in which any child can participate).
- Interscholastic sports (competitive sports between schools).
- Before- and after-school extended day programs.
Active transportation to school
To foster active transportation, schools can encourage the use of:
- Trails, crosswalks, and programs like Safe Routes to Schools.
- Walking school buses.
Get more information about the Community Guide's recommended interventions to support travel to school. These suggestions can increase active commuting among students and reduce traffic-related injury.
Resources
- CDC | Ideas for Parents: Before and After School Physical Activity
- Alliance for a Healthier Generation | Healthy Out-of-School Time Assessment
- National After School Association | Standards for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, and Healthy Equity in Out-of-School Time
- Safe Routes to School Partnership
Content Source
Division of Adolescent and School Health; National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)
About This Page
Published: October 21, 2026
Updated: October 8, 2026
This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.
Reviewed: October 9, 2026
The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.
- Sliwa SA, Chang Chusan YA, Dahlstrom C. Opportunities in the extended day: Approaches for promoting physical activity and healthy eating during out-of-school time. J Sch Health. 2023; 93: 813–827.
- Sliwa SA, Hawkins GT, Lee SM, Hunt H. A Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child approach to support student physical activity and nutrition: Introduction/methods. J Sch Health. 2023; 93: 750–761.
- Guide to Community Preventive Services. Physical activity: interventions to increase active travel to school; 2021. Available at: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/physical-activity-interventions-increase-active-travel-school.html
- Michael SL, Merlo CL, Basch CE, Wentzel KR, Wechsler H. Critical connections: health and academics. J Sch Health. 2015;85(11):740-758