Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness (Jan 2023)
Physical literacy in Europe: The current state of implementation in research, practice, and policy
- Johannes Carl,
- Anna S. Bryant,
- Lowri C. Edwards,
- Gillian Bartle,
- Jens E. Birch,
- Efstathios Christodoulides,
- Arunas Emeljanovas,
- Andreas Fröberg,
- Joseph Gandrieau,
- Barbara Gilic,
- Ivo van Hilvoorde,
- Peter Holler,
- Teodora M. Iconomescu,
- Johannes Jaunig,
- Ida Laudanska-Krzeminska,
- Suzanne Lundvall,
- Kristine De Martelaer,
- João Martins,
- Brigita Mieziene,
- Maria Mendoza-Muñoz,
- Alexandre Mouton,
- Bogdan S. Olaru,
- Marcos Onofre,
- Iuliia Pavlova,
- Marie Rose Repond,
- Vassiliki Riga,
- Kasper Salin,
- Christophe Schnitzler,
- Damir Sekulic,
- Clemens Töpfer,
- Jana Vasickova,
- Günay Yıldızer,
- Viviana Zito,
- Peter Bentsen,
- Nigel Green,
- Peter Elsborg
Affiliations
- Johannes Carl
- Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Sport Science and Sport, Gebbertstraße 123b, 91058, Erlangen, Germany; Corresponding author.
- Anna S. Bryant
- Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff School of Education and Social Policy / School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cyncoed Road, CF23 6XD, Cardiff, UK
- Lowri C. Edwards
- Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff School of Education and Social Policy / School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cyncoed Road, CF23 6XD, Cardiff, UK
- Gillian Bartle
- University of Dundee, Division of Education and Society, DD1 4HN, Nethergate Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Jens E. Birch
- Oslo Metropolitan University, Department of Primary and Secondary Teacher Education, P.O. Box 4, St. Olavs Plass, 0130, Oslo, Norway
- Efstathios Christodoulides
- University of Central Lancashire Cyprus, School of Sciences/Sport and Exercise Sciences, 12-14 University Avenue, Pyla, 7080, Larnaka, Cyprus
- Arunas Emeljanovas
- Lithuanian Sports University, Department of Physical and Social Education, Sporto Str. 6, 44221, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Andreas Fröberg
- University of Gothenburg, Department of Food and Nutrition and Sport Science, Läroverksgatan 5, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Joseph Gandrieau
- University Lille, University Artois, University Littoral Côte d’Opale, Unité de Recherche Pluridisciplinaire Sport Santé Société, 413 Av. Eugène Avinée, 59120, Loos, France
- Barbara Gilic
- University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Teslina 6, 21000, Split, Croatia
- Ivo van Hilvoorde
- Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Campus 2, 8017, CA, Zwolle, Netherlands
- Peter Holler
- FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Health Management in Tourism, Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Strasse 24, 8344, Bad Gleichenberg, Austria
- Teodora M. Iconomescu
- Dunărea de Jos University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Domneasca Street no. 47, 800008, Galati, Romania
- Johannes Jaunig
- University of Graz, Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health, Mozartgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Ida Laudanska-Krzeminska
- Poznan University of Physical Education, Department of Physical Activity and Health Promotion Science, ul. Krolowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871, Poznan, Poland
- Suzanne Lundvall
- University of Gothenburg, Department of Food and Nutrition and Sport Science, Department, Läroverksgatan 5, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Kristine De Martelaer
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- João Martins
- Centro de Estudos em Educação, Fac. de Motricidade Humana e UIDEF, Instituto da Educação, Universidade de Lisboa, Estr. da Costa, 1499-002, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
- Brigita Mieziene
- Lithuanian Sports University, Department of Physical and Social Education, Sporto Str. 6, 44221, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Maria Mendoza-Muñoz
- University of Extremadura, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Av. de la Universidad S/n, 10003, Caceres, Spain
- Alexandre Mouton
- University of Liège, Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health & Education (RUCHE), Allée des Sports 2, 4000, Liège, Belgium
- Bogdan S. Olaru
- Dunărea de Jos University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Domneasca Street no. 47, 800008, Galati, Romania
- Marcos Onofre
- Centro de Estudos em Educação, Fac. de Motricidade Humana e UIDEF, Instituto da Educação, Universidade de Lisboa, Estr. da Costa, 1499-002, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
- Iuliia Pavlova
- Lviv State University of Physical Culture, Department of Theory and Methods of Physical Culture, Kostiushka Str. 11, 79007, Lviv, Ukraine
- Marie Rose Repond
- Federal Institute of Sport, Bern University of Applied Sciences, 2532, Magglingen, Switzerland
- Vassiliki Riga
- University of Patras, Department of Educational Sciences & Early Childhood Education, University Campus, 26504, Rio, Greece
- Kasper Salin
- University of Jyväskylä, Faculty of Sport & Health Sciences, Keskussairaalantie 4, 40100, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Christophe Schnitzler
- E3S laboratory - UR 1342 - University of Strasbourg 14, Rue R. Descartes, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Damir Sekulic
- University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Teslina 6, 21000, Split, Croatia
- Clemens Töpfer
- University of Jena, Institute for Sports Science, Seidelstraße 20, 07749, Jena, Germany
- Jana Vasickova
- Palacký University Olomouc, Faculty of Physical Culture, Department of Social Science in Kinanthropology, Tr. Miru 117, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Günay Yıldızer
- Eskişehir Technical University, Department of Physical Education and Sport, 2 Eylül Kampüsü, 26555, Eseksehir, Türkiye
- Viviana Zito
- Capdi & LSM, Piazzale Dante 8, 74121, Taranto, Italy
- Peter Bentsen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958, Frederiksberg, Denmark; University of Copenhagen, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Nigel Green
- International Physical Literacy Association, 9 Pine View, WN3 6DF, Winstanley (Wigan), England, UK
- Peter Elsborg
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Nordre Fasanvej 57, 2000, Frederiksberg, Denmark; Health Promotion Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 83, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 21,
no. 1
pp. 165 – 176
Abstract
Background/objective: The holistic concept of physical literacy (PL) embraces different person-centered qualities (physical, cognitive, affective/psychological) necessary to lead physically active lifestyles. PL has recently gained increasing attention globally and Europe is no exception. However, scientific endeavors summarizing the current state of PL in Europe are lacking. Therefore, the goal of this study was to comprehensively assess and compare the implementation of PL in research, policy, and practice across the continent. Methods: We assembled a panel of experts representing 25 European countries. Employing a complementary mixed-methods design, the experts first prepared reviews about the current state of PL in their countries (categories: research, practice/policy). The reviews underwent comparative document analysis, ensuring a transnational four-eyes principle. For re-validation purposes, the representatives completed a quantitative survey with questions reflecting the inductive themes from the document analysis. Results: The document analysis resulted in ten disjunct themes (related to “concept”, “research”, “practice/policy”, “future/prospect”) and yielded a heterogenous PL situation in Europe. The implementation state was strongly linked to conceptual discussions (e.g., existence of competing approaches), linguistic issues (e.g., translations), and country-specific traditions. Despite growing scholarly attention, PL hesitantly permeates practice and policy in most countries. Nevertheless, the experts largely anticipate increasing popularity of PL for the future. Conclusion: Despite the heterogeneous situation across Europe, the analysis has uncovered similarities among the countries, such as the presence of established yet not identical concepts. Research should intensify academic activities (conceptual-linguistic elaborations, empirical work) before PL may gain further access into practical and political spheres in the long term.
