Physical Literacy and Active Living Education

Physical literacy describes the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding that enable individuals to engage in physical activity for life. It is founded on a holistic framework that integrates cognitive, affective, social and motor domains, emphasising not only skilful movement but also the psychological and educational processes that foster long-term engagement. Active living education extends this concept into curricular and community settings, seeking to embed opportunities for movement across the lifespan. By cultivating physical literacy from early childhood through adulthood, educators and policy-makers aim to reverse global trends in inactivity and associated health burdens. Programmes grounded in active living education adopt interdisciplinary approaches, combining structured physical education, unstructured play, mindfulness and behavioural strategies to build sustainable habits. The global significance of this work is evident in its potential to enhance well-being, reduce non-communicable disease risk and promote social inclusion through accessible, context-sensitive interventions.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A structural equation model applied to a large cohort of university students demonstrated that higher levels of physical literacy and mindfulness were positively associated with health-related quality of life, even under the strain of a pandemic. The analysis showed that both constructs contributed distinctively to well-being, suggesting that interventions promoting mindful awareness alongside movement competence can buffer declines in mental and physical health. This work provides initial quantitative evidence for integrated educational strategies that combine skill development with psychological resilience training.

Physical Literacy and Active Living Education publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in physical literacy and active living education across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Physical literacy: The integrated set of abilities and dispositions enabling lifelong engagement in physical activity.

Active living education: Educational approaches that embed movement and healthy behaviours across curricula and community programmes.

Holistic framework: An approach that considers multiple interrelated domains—physical, affective, cognitive, social—for comprehensive development.

Affective domain: Emotional and motivational components that influence an individual’s attitudes and confidence towards movement.

Structural equation model: A statistical technique that assesses complex relationships among observed and latent variables.

References

1. Definitions, Foundations and Associations of Physical Literacy: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine (2016).
2. The role of physical literacy and mindfulness on health-related quality of life among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientific Reports (2024).
3. Validity, Reliability, and Feasibility of Physical Literacy Assessments Designed for School Children: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine (2023).
4. Effects of Holistically Conceptualised School-Based Interventions on Children’s Physical Literacy, Physical Activity, and Other Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine - Open (2024).
5. Definitions and assessments of physical literacy among children and youth: a scoping review. BMC Public Health (2023).