Effect of Active Breaks during e-Learning and Mental Arithmetic Tasks

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed the effects of taking active breaks during mental arithmetic and e-Learning tasks. Active breaks are defined as breaks that involve light exercise. An experiment was conducted to analyze the effects of active breaks on recovery from fatigue and the effects on the task results. Here, each subject’s fatigue was analyzed using the leg movement measurement method. As a result, in the e- Learning task experiment, recovery from fatigue was observed after active breaks. However, improvement in learning effectiveness was not observed. In the mental arithmetic task experiment, recovery from fatigue was also observed after active breaks. In addition, it is possible that the recovery from fatigue enabled the subjects to maintain a high rate of correct responses to the mental arithmetic task. It was suggested that active breaks may be more effective in improving work efficiency when the cognitive load of the task is greater.