At Heart Zones, we are thrilled to celebrate the recent publication of a powerful new study, "Physical Activity and Social-Emotional Learning Contribute to Resilience and Psychological Well-Being in School-Aged Children," published in the American Journal of Health Education. This research is especially meaningful to us because one of the study’s co-authors is Dr. Deb Berkey—our own colleague and a dedicated champion of health, wellness, and physical education.
Dr. Berkey, who serves on the Heart Zones team, has long been a leader in shaping how schools implement effective and inclusive PE programs. Her contributions to this study underscore the growing body of evidence supporting what many educators already know: when students move, they thrive.
Movement + SEL = Resilience and Well-Being
The study found that physical activity—especially moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA) during quality PE—significantly improves students’ psychological well-being and resilience. Just as importantly, the research showed that social-emotional learning (SEL) plays a powerful role in helping students develop the skills to navigate challenges and flourish emotionally.
These insights are more than just academic—they’re actionable. They confirm that schools have a critical opportunity to boost student health by integrating structured movement into the school day. And with tools like the Heart Zones Move Solution, educators can take this research and turn it into real results.
Turning Data into Action
The study used Heart Zones wearable technology to track students’ real-time physical activity during Smart-QPE (Quality Physical Education) lessons. The result? Clear, measurable connections between movement, emotional strength, and student well-being. By providing actionable data and real-time feedback, our technology empowers PE teachers to create purposeful movement experiences that engage both body and mind.
At a time when student health—physical, emotional, and mental—is more important than ever, this research validates the mission we’ve been championing: to bring smarter, data-informed movement to every classroom.
Thank You to the Research Team
We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Deb Berkey for her leadership and contributions to this study, as well as to the entire research team whose work is helping to transform physical education nationwide:
- Carolyn Kalata
- Sarah Liener
- Iris Ma
- Rayna Ostroff
-
Danny Jandali
- Dr. Weiyun Chen
Their combined expertise highlights the critical role of movement and social-emotional learning in building resilience and long-term well-being for students. Studies like this validate the importance of integrating technology-driven PE solutions—like Heart Zones Move—into schools to make measurable impacts on student health.
Let’s keep moving forward—together.
👉 Read the full study here!