BasketballMathematics - How can movement, play, and mathematics be meaningfully combined in school education?

22. maj 2026 BasketballMathematics Forskningsformidling jacob wienecke nexs research communication, department of exercise and sports sciences

This question became the starting point for the development of the Basketball Mathematics Project.

The project originated from an initial pilot study consisting of a one-day workshop (as shown in the video). This pilot focused on testing and refining activities while exploring the interaction between basketball and mathematics. We invited children who already had an interest in basketball and to understand how they perceived and experienced mathematics when integrated with physical activity. The workshop had a systematical approach where after each exercise, participants rated how fun and challenging they found both the mathematics and basketball elements.

Building on insights from the pilot, the concept was further developed into a six-week teaching programme. This led to the first intervention study, a motivation-focused study conducted with school children. The findings showed that students who worked with basketball and mathematics found the activities more fun and engaging than regular classroom teaching, and they felt more confident and involved. It also helped keep their interest in mathematics over time. Six Weeks of Basketball Combined With Mathematics in Physical Education Classes Can Improve Children's Motivation for Mathematics

Based on these promising results, the project was subsequently expanded into a larger effect study focusing specifically on fractions —an important and often challenging mathematical domain. This randomized controlled trial demonstrated positive effects on both students’ mathematical learning and classroom engagement.

The Basketball Mathematics Project combines mathematics with playful, basketball-inspired activities designed for children aged 7–14 years. The activities are developed from an inclusive perspective, allowing children with different levels of mathematical ability and ballgame experience to participate together. The aim is not only to strengthen mathematical understanding, but also to support enjoyment, collaboration, movement, and confidence in learning.

The project is inspired by research within physically active learning and embodied learning, where movement is used as a meaningful part of the learning process rather than simply as a break from classroom teaching. By integrating mathematical concepts into activities, the project seeks to create motivating learning environments where students learn through participation, communication, and play.

In the video, we present the background and development of the project and demonstrate how the activities are used in practice. In addition, it is possible to access a complete 8-week teaching compendium designed for children aged 11-14, focusing on fractions and physically active mathematics instruction.

BASKETMATEMATIK - 8 ugers forløb for 6. - 7. klasse (Danish)