Physical literacy has become a focus in school physical education and youth sports programs. Despite the global attention, physical literacy remains an elusive concept in regards to its definition, assessment, and interventions. In this article, we review the existing scholarship on physical literacy definitions, assessments, and interventions. We first present the historic evolution of physical literacy and the various definitions, followed by a synthesis of its underlying components. We next summarize the current physical literacy assessments along with a commentary on the challenges to accurately and feasibly assess the concept. Following this we describe the characteristics and efficacy of the existing physical literacy-related interventions in children and adolescents. The article concludes with an interpretive discussion of the findings to stimulate future efforts of research, practice, and policy for fostering physically literate individuals.
AllanVTurnnidgeJCôtéJ (2017) Evaluating approaches to physical literacy through the lens of positive youth development. Quest69(4): 515–530.
2.
AlmondL (2014) Serious flaws in an FMS interpretation of physical literacy. Science and Sports29: 60–62.
3.
ArnoldPJ (1979) Meaning in Movement, Sport and Physical Education. London: Heinemann.
4.
BarnettLMDudleyDATelfordRD, et al. (2019) Guidelines for the selection of physical literacy measures in physical education in Australia. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education38: 119–125.
5.
BélangerKBarnesJDLongmuirPE, et al. (2018) The relationship between physical literacy scores and adherence to Canadian physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines. BMC Public Health18(Suppl 2): 113–121.
6.
BélangerMHumbertLVatanparastH, et al. (2016) A multilevel intervention to increase physical activity and improve healthy eating and physical literacy among young children (ages 3-5) attending early childcare centres: The Healthy Start-Départ Santé cluster randomised controlled trial study protocol. BMC Public Health16(1): 1–10.
7.
BerkmanNDDavisTCMcCormackL (2010) Health literacy?What is it? Journal of Health Communication15(2): 9–19.
8.
BestD (1978) Philosophy and Human Movement. London: George Allen and Unwin.
9.
BrassingtonGSAtienzaAAPerczekRE, et al. (2002) Intervention-related cognitive versus social mediators of exercise adherence in the elderly. American Journal of Preventive Medicine23(2): 80–86.
10.
CairneyJBedardCDudleyD, et al. (2016) Towards a physical literacy framework to guide the design, implementation and evaluation of early childhood movement-based interventions targeting cognitive development. Annals of Sports Medicine and Research3(4): 1073.
11.
CastelliDMBarcelonaJMBryantL (2015) Contextualizing physical literacy in the school environment: The challenges. Journal of Sport and Health Science4(2): 156–163.
12.
CastelliDMCenteioEEBeighleAE, et al. (2014) Physical literacy and comprehensive school physical activity programs. Preventive Medicine66: 95–100.
13.
ChenA (2015) Operationalizing physical literacy for learners: Embodying the motivation to move. Journal of Sport and Health Science4: 125–131.
14.
ChenSLiuYSchabenJ (2017) To move more and sit less: Does physical activity/fitness knowledge matter in youth?Journal of Teaching in Physical Education36(2): 142–151.
15.
ChenWHammond-BennettAHypnarA (2017) Examination of motor skill competency in students: Evidence-based physical education curriculum. BMC Public Health17(1): 222.
16.
ChenWZhuWMasonS, et al. (2016) Effectiveness of quality physical education in improving students’ manipulative skill competency. Journal of Sport and Health Science5(2): 231–238.
17.
CollinsDMartindaleRButtonA, et al. (2010). Building a physically activity and talent rich culture: An educationally sound approach. European Physical Education Review16(1): 7–28.
18.
CorbinCB (2016) Implications of physical literacy for research and practice: A commentary. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport87(1): 14–27.
19.
CorbinCBLe MasurierGL (2014) Fitness for Life. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
20.
CôtéJFraser-ThomasJ (2016) Youth involvement and positive development in sport. In: CrockerPRE (ed.) Sport and Exercise Psychology: A Canadian Perspective. 3rd ed. Toronto: Pearson, 256–287.
21.
DemetriouYBachnerJReimersAK, et al. (2018) Effects of a sports-oriented primary school on students’ physical literacy and cognitive performance. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology3(3): 37.
22.
Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS)/Strategy Unit (2002) Game plan: A strategy for delivering government’s sport and physical activity objectives. Available at: http://www.gamesmonitor.org.uk/files/game_plan_report.pdf (accessed 1 July 2018).
23.
DilorenzoTMStucky-RoppRCVander WalJS, et al. (1998) Determinants of exercise among children. II. A longitudinal analysis. Preventive Medicine27(3): 470–477.
24.
DudleyDA (2015) A conceptual model of observed physical literacy. The Physical Educator72(5): 236–260.
25.
DysonBPlacekJHGraberKC, et al. (2011) Development of PE metrics elementary assessments for national physical education standard 1. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science15(2): 100–118.
EdwardsLCBryantASKeeganRJ, et al. (2017) Definitions, foundations and associations of physical literacy: A systematic review. Sports Medicine47(1): 113–126.
28.
EdwardsLCBryantASKeeganRJ, et al. (2018) ‘Measuring’ physical literacy and related constructs: A systematic review of empirical findings. Sports Medicine48(3): 659–682.
29.
EnnisCD (2015) Knowledge, transfer, and innovation in physical literacy curricula. Journal of Sport and Health Science4: 119–124.
30.
GeorgeAMRohrLEByrneJ (2016) Impact of Nintendo Wii games on physical literacy in children: Motor skills, physical fitness, activity behaviors, and knowledge. Sports4(1): 3.
31.
GibbsHDEllerbeckEFGajewskiB, et al. (2018) The nutrition literacy assessment instrument is a valid and reliable measure of nutrition literacy in adults with chronic disease. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior50(3): 247–257.
HartmannCDohleSSiegristM (2015) A self-determination theory approach to adults’ healthy body weight motivation: A longitudinal study focusing on food choices and recreational physical activity. Psychology and Health, 30(8): 924–948.
34.
HastiePA (2017) Revisiting the national physical education content standards: What do we really know about our achievement of the physically educated/literate person?Journal of Teaching in Physical Education36(1): 3–19.
35.
HastiePAChenSGuarinoAJ (2017) Health-related fitness knowledge development through project-based learning. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education36(1): 119–125.
36.
HastiePAWallheadTL (2015) Operationalizing physical literacy through sport education. Journal of Sport and Health Science4(2): 132–138.
HiggsCBalyiIWayR, et al. (2008). Developing Physical Literacy: A Guide for Parents of Children age 0 to 12. A Supplement to Canada Sport for Life. Vancouver, BC: Canadian Sport Centres.
39.
HolfelderBSchottN (2014) Relationship of fundamental movement skills and physical activity in children and adolescents: A systematic review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise15: 382–391.
40.
HollerPJaunigJAmortFM, et al. (2019) Holistic physical exercise training improves physical literacy among physically inactive adults: A pilot intervention study. BMC Public Health19(1): 393.
41.
HouserAECawleyJKolenAM, et al. (2019) A loose parts randomized controlled trial to promote active outdoor play in preschool-aged children: Physical literacy in the early years (PLEY) project. Methods and Protocols2(2): 27.
42.
HusserlE (1991) Cartesian Meditations: An Introduction to Phenomenology. Berlin: Springer.
43.
HyndmanB.PillS (2018) What’s in a concept? A leximancer text mining analysis of physical literacy across the international literature. European Physical Education Review24(3): 292–313.
JohnstoneAHughesARJanssenX, et al. (2017) Pragmatic evaluation of the Go2Play Active Play intervention on physical activity and fundamental movement skills in children. Preventive Medicine Reports7: 58–63.
JurbalaP (2015) What is physical literacy, really?Quest67(4): 367–383.
48.
KeeganRJBarnettLMDudleyDA, et al. (2019) Defining physical literacy for application in Australia: A modified Delphi method. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education38(2): 105–118.
49.
KiezTK (2015) The impact of circus arts instruction on the physical literacy of children in grades 4 and 5. PhD Dissertation, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada.
KozeraTR (2017) Physical literacy in children and youth. PhD Dissertation, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada.
52.
LaverySSinkerEPickeringJ (2017) Physical literacy primary school interventions in 5 cities throughout BC: What's the impact? In: 2017 International physical literacy conference: Conference Proceedings, Toronto, Canada, 12-15 April 2017, pp.30–31. Ontario, Canada: Physical Activity Resource Center (PARC).
53.
LeeJAlpousAYusufW, et al. (2018) Y kids academy program increases knowledge of healthy living in young adolescents. Exercise Medicine2: 10.
54.
LodewykKRMandigoJL (2017) Early validation evidence of a Canadian practitioner-based assessment of physical literacy in physical education: Passport for life. Physical Educator74(3): 441–475.
55.
LongmuirPEBoyerCLloydM, et al. (2015) The Canadian assessment of physical literacy: Methods for children in grades 4 to 6 (8 to 12 years). BMC Public Health15: 767.
56.
LounsberyMAFMcKenzieTL (2015) Physically literate and physically educated: A rose by any other name?Journal of Sport and Health Science4: 139–144.
57.
LundvallS (2015) Physical literacy in the field of physical education: A challenge and a possibility. Journal of Sport and Health Science4(2): 113–118.
58.
MandigoJFrancisNLodewykK, et al. (2009) Physical literacy for educators. Physical and Health Education Journal75(3): 27–30.
59.
MandigoJLodewykKTredwayJ (2019) Examining the impact of a teaching games for understanding approach on the development of physical literacy using the passport for life assessment tool. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education38(2): 136–145.
60.
MateusNSSVazLGomesI, et al. (2015) The effect of a physical literacy and differential learning program in motor, technical and tactical basketball skills. Revista de Psicologia del Deporte24(Suppl 1): 73–76.
61.
McClellandK (2013) A qualitative approach using the self determination theory to understand motivation within the concept of physical literacy. Master's Thesis, Ottawa University, Ottawa, KS, Canada.
62.
McCloyCH (1957a) Towards a greater degree of physical literacy (Part 1). The Physical Educator14: 83–85.
63.
McCloyCH (1957b) Towards a greater degree of physical literacy (Part 2). The Physical Educator14: 126–130.
64.
McGraneBBeltonSFaircloughSJ, et al. (2018) Outcomes of the Y-PATH randomized controlled trial: Can a school-based intervention improve fundamental movement skill proficiency in adolescent youth?Journal of Physical Activity and Health15: 89–98.
MorisonR (1969) A Movement Approach to Educational Gymnastics. London, England: J. M. Dent and Sons.
67.
Müller-RiemenschneiderFReinholdTNoconM, et al. (2008) Long-term effectiveness of interventions promoting physical activity: A systematic review. Preventive Medicine47(4): 354–368.
68.
National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) (2010) PE metrics: Assessing National Standards 1–6 in Elementary School. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
69.
National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) (2011) PE Metrics: Assessing National Standards 1-6 in Secondary School. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
70.
O’BrienWIssartelJBeltonS (2013) Evidence for the efficacy of the youth-physical activity towards health (Y-PATH) intervention. Advances in Physical Education3(4): 145–153.
71.
OtteMFde BarrosLGX (2016) What is the difference between a definition and a concept?Science Journal of Education4(5): 159–168.
72.
PatrikssonGPerssonC (2013) Physical Literacy among Inactive Swedish Young People - An Interview Study of a Neglected Group in Sport Science Research. Gothenburg, Sweden: University of Gothenburg, Department of Food, Nutrition and Sport Science.
73.
PenneyDChandlerT (2000) Physical education: What future(s)?Sport, Education and Society5(1): 71–87.
RoetertEPJefferiesSC (2014) Embracing physical literacy. The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance85(8): 38–40.
78.
RogersJE (1930) Why physical education?Journal of Education112(15): 367–368.
79.
SheehanDKatzL (2010) Using interactive fitness and exergames to develop physical literacy. Physical and Health Education Journal76(1): 12–19.
80.
SheehanDVan WykNJohnsonE, et al. (2016) Functional physical literacy for child and youth recreation programming: A community response to the 2015 Canadian recreation framework. International Journal of Sport Management, Recreation and Tourism25: 9–21.
81.
SilvermanSMercierK (2015) Teaching for physical literacy: Implications to instructional design and PETE. Philosophy and Theory37: 705–718.
82.
Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America (2014) National Standards & Grade-level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Sports Council (1991) The Case for Sport (Publicity Leaflet). London, England: Sports Council.
89.
SpringerJBLambornSDPollardDM (2013) Maintaining physical activity over time: The importance of basic psychological need satisfaction in developing the physically active self. American Journal of Health Promotion27(5): 284–293.
90.
SumRKWHaASCChengCF, et al. (2016) Construction and validation of a perceived physical literacy instrument for physical education teachers. PLoS One11(5): e0155610.
91.
SumKWRWallheadTHaSCA, et al. (2018) Effects of physical education continuing professional development on teachers’ physical literacy and self-efficacy and students’ learning outcomes. International Journal of Educational Research88: 1–8.
92.
TelamaRYangXLeskinenE, et al. (2014) Tracking of physical activity from early childhood through youth into adulthood. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise46(5): 955–962.
The Aspen Institute (2015b) Physical literacy in the United States: A model, strategic plan, and call to action. Available at: http://www.physicalliteracy.ca(accessed 17 July 2018).
95.
ThompsonAHannonJC (2012). Health-related fitness knowledge and physical activity of high school students. The Physical Educator69: 71–88.
96.
TremblayMLloydM (2010) Physical literacy measurement: The missing piece. Physical and Health Education Journal76(1): 26–30.
97.
TremblayMSCostas-BradstreetCBarnesJD, et al. (2018) Canada’s physical literacy consensus statement: Process and outcome. BMC Public Health18(Suppl 2): 1034.
98.
UNESCO (2004) The plurality of literacy and its implications for policies and programmes. Position paper. Paris: UNESCO Education Sector.
99.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2015) Quality Physical Education: Guidelines for Policy-makers. Paris: UNESCO Education Sector.
100.
WainwrightNGoodwayJWhiteheadM, et al. (2018) Laying the foundations for physical literacy in Wales: The contribution of the foundation phase to the development of physical literacy. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy23(4): 431–444.
101.
WallJMuarryN (1994) Children and Movement: Physical Education in the Elementary School. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown Company Publishers.
WasserkampfASilvaMNSantosIC, et al. (2014) Short- and long-term theory-based predictors of physical activity in women who participated in a weight-management program. Health Education Research29(6): 941–952.
104.
WelkGJMeredithMD (2010) Fitnessgram and Activitygram Test Administration Manual-Updated. 4th ed. Champaign: Human Kinetics.
105.
WhiteheadM (2005) PE for today’s children. In: primary physical education conference, Roehampton, July 2005.
106.
WhiteheadME (1993) Physical literacy. In: GrierJ (ed) International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (IAPESWG) congress, Melbourne, Australia, 31 July-06 August 1993. Melbourne, Australia: International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women.
107.
WhiteheadME (2001) The concept of physical literacy. European Journal of Physical Education6(2): 127–138.
108.
WhiteheadME (2007) Physical literacy: Philosophical considerations in relation to developing a sense of self, universality, and propositional knowledge. Sport, Ethics, and Philosophy1: 281–298.
109.
WhiteheadME (2010) Physical Literacy throughout the Lifecourse. New York: Routledge.
110.
WhiteheadME (2013a) Definition of physical literacy and clarification of related issues. Journal of Sport Science and Physical Education65: 28–33.
111.
WhiteheadME (2013b) The history and development of physical literacy. Journal of Sport Science and Physical Education65: 21–27.
112.
WhiteheadMEDurden-MyersEJPotN (2018) The value of fostering physical literacy. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education37(3): 252–261.
113.
WilliamsJF (1942) The Principles of Physical Education. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company.
ZhuWRinkJPlacekJH, et al. (2011). PE metrics: Background, testing theory, and methods. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science15(2): 87–99.
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
