The psychological benefits of circus skills training (CST) in schoolchildren

Abstract

Physical exercise can enhance various aspects of character and education, but children may not engage due to a variety of barriers. Circus Skills Training (CST) is a novel approach to encourage participation in exercise and develop physical literacy. It delivers circus skills in a positive, non-competitive and supportive social atmosphere, making it particularly appealing to those who avoid traditional competitive team sports. In a between-subjects design we compared 2 groups of children (aged 9–12) on various measures of physical and psychological wellbeing at baseline, and again after one group had received 6 months of CST training as part of their school’s physical education classes. Significant differences between CST and none-CST children were found for teacher ratings of emotional problems, with the CST-group showing fewer such problems. CST could offer an innovative means of encouraging children to engage with exercise and provide wider benefits in terms of psychological wellbeing.

Keywords:

• circus skills
• physical exercise
• physical literacy
• optimism
• emotional problems
• wellbeing

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nick Neave

Nick Neave is Professor in Psychology at Northumbria University. He studied Psychology at Newcastle University and then gained a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education at the same institution. After working as a primary school teacher he studied for his PhD at Durham University, gaining a lectureship at Northumbria University in 1995. Since then he has developed his expertise in the assessment of personality and behaviour; over recent years he has developed a specialism in the biomechanical analysis of human movements, and in the psychological benefits of circus skills training. He is a member of the Circus Research Network. He has published over 80 articles and one textbook.

Karen McKenzie

Karen McKenzie is a Health and Care Professions Council registered/Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Northumbria University. She studied Psychology at Edinburgh University and gained a postgraduate degree and doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and MSc in elearning at the same institution. She worked as both a clinical psychologist and academic for many years before joining Northumbria University in 2014. She has an interest in the health and wellbeing of adults and children, particularly those with developmental disabilities. She is a member of the Circus Research Network and has published over 200 articles.