GLOS Educatief News The Daily Mile Movement

Positive effect of The Daily Mile on children's endurance

Published Apr 21, 2020

The Daily Mile is a physical activity initiative for primary schools (grades 3 to 8). A class runs for fifteen minutes on at least three school days per week. JOGG, the initiator of The Daily Mile, aims to improve children's endurance through this initiative. Research by the Mulier Institute shows that a group of children (grades 5–8) who took part in The Daily Mile three or four times a week for twelve weeks improved their endurance. In a group of children who did not take part in The Daily Mile, endurance remained unchanged.

Positive effect of The Daily Mile on children's endurance

This impact study was conducted by the Mulier Institute on behalf of JOGG in 2019 (February–June). A total of 659 children from nine different primary schools took part. Before and after the intervention, all pupils took a beep test to measure their endurance. In addition, teachers and children completed a questionnaire about sports, physical activity and The Daily Mile during both measurements.

Other important findings:

Teachers at three of the five schools that implemented The Daily Mile received additional support from JOGG with the implementation of The Daily Mile. This additional support did not provide added value for the implementation of The Daily Mile and did not affect the results concerning the children's endurance. The children's endurance improved both in the group of schools with support and in the group without support.
When asked how strenuous they found taking part in The Daily Mile, the children indicated that after twelve weeks they found The Daily Mile less strenuous than at the start.
All six teachers felt that The Daily Mile helped pupils expend their energy. The majority of teachers also felt that pupils enjoyed The Daily Mile.
According to teachers, examples of tips for maintaining high motivation when carrying out The Daily Mile include taking part themselves, encouraging pupils and coming up with different routes. Pupils consider adding exercises or a game important.

The results of the study are described in two publications:

Read the results of the impact study here in an English-language scientific article published in the journal ‘International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health’.
Read the results here in a report in Dutch, including the process evaluation.

Ten tips for the Golden Weeks in primary education

After every holiday, a group goes through certain phases in the process of group formation. The first weeks at the beginning of the school year are called the Golden Weeks. These weeks are particularly suitable for laying a foundation for good group formation and a pleasant atmosphere. Stichting School & Veiligheid offers ten tips.

Our Food Week

From 3 to 10 October 2026, it is Our Food Week. A great opportunity to focus with your class at primary school on where our food comes from, how it is made and why healthy and sustainable choices are important. Food education allows pupils not only to learn, but especially to experience. That is why various organisations are joining forces to support schools with inspiring activities, teaching materials and practical tools. Examples include the Mayors’ Breakfast, a free visit to a farm, or shopping vouchers for cooking in the classroom.

Join National Tap Water Day 2026 on 30 September!

Would you like more water to be drunk in the new school year? Then put tap water in the spotlight with your class as a healthy and sustainable thirst quencher during National Tap Water Day on Wednesday 30 September. This way, your pupils will discover why tap water is healthy and how to turn it into a festive drink!

Latest articles

Ten tips for the Golden Weeks in primary education

Our Food Week

Join National Tap Water Day 2026 on 30 September!