Physical literacy

Kinesiology

A discipline and body of knowledge focused on physical activity.

Etymological roots of kinesiology

Derived from the Greek words kinesis (movement) and kinein (to move).

Historical origin of physical literacy

Emerged in the 1880s in the United States.

Key figure in developing the modern concept of physical literacy

Margaret Whitehead.

Year of Whitehead's original physical literacy paper

2001.

Whitehead's rationale for physical literacy

Developed because humans are embodied beings, early childhood movement was often overlooked, lifelong activity participation declined, and physical education overemphasized elite performance.

Risk of overemphasizing high performance in physical education

Individuals who do not view themselves as elite performers may become discouraged or excluded from physical activity.

Physical literacy

The motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engaging in physical activities for life.

Affective elements of physical literacy

Motivation and confidence.

Physical element of physical literacy

Physical competence.

Cognitive elements of physical literacy

Knowledge and understanding.

Behavioural element in Canada's physical literacy framework

Engagement in physical activity for life.

Principle of 'cradle to grave' in physical literacy

Physical literacy is a continuous, lifelong journey extending from early childhood through old age.

Principle of 'not a means to another end'

Physical literacy should be inherently valued for its own sake rather than justified solely by secondary outcomes like health.

Consensus document created in Canada in 2015

The Physical Literacy Consensus Statement.

Unique domain in Australia's physical literacy framework

The social domain.

Dimensions of New Zealand's physical literacy framework

Physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual dimensions.

Cultural foundation of New Zealand's spiritual physical literacy dimension

Reflects Māori culture and worldviews.

Three philosophical foundations of physical literacy

Monism, existentialism, and phenomenology.

Monism

The philosophical view that the mind and body are an integrated whole and equally important.

Dualism

The philosophical view that mind and body are separate entities, often treating the mind as superior.

Existentialism in physical literacy

Focuses on how individuals create themselves through interactions with their environment and available action opportunities.

Affordances

Action opportunities provided to an individual by a specific environment.

Phenomenology

The philosophical concept that each individual experiences the world from their own unique perspective.

Metaphorical structure of the Physical Literacy Tree

The trunk represents the definition, the roots represent philosophical foundations, and the top represents the eight attributes.

Physical competence

Sufficiency in movement patterns and the ability to deploy them across a range of movement forms.

Whitehead's five categories of human movement

Reflexes, voluntary movement, movement capacities, general/refined movement patterns, and specific movement patterns.

Reflex

An involuntary, stereotyped response to a particular stimulus.

Primary purpose of primitive infant reflexes

Survival, including nourishment and protection.

Rooting reflex

An infant turning their head toward a stimulus on the cheek, mouth, or chin and opening their mouth.

Tonic neck reflex

An infant turning their head to one side, causing the arm on that side to extend and the opposite arm to bend.

Palmar grasp reflex

An automatic grasping response when an object touches an infant's palm.

Plantar grasp reflex

Inward curling of an infant's toes when the bottom of the foot is touched.

Postural infant reflexes

Involuntary movement responses linked to the eventual development of voluntary movement, such as stepping or swimming.

Voluntary movement

Conscious, cortically controlled movement that becomes dominant by the end of the first year of life.

Three categories of voluntary movement

Stability (e.g., sitting), locomotion (e.g., crawling), and manipulation (e.g., reaching).

Cephalocaudal development

Motor development that progresses from head to feet.

Proximodistal development

Motor development that progresses from the center of the body outward to the extremities.

Static balance vs. Dynamic balance

Static balance is maintaining stability while stationary, whereas dynamic balance is maintaining stability while moving.

Agility

The ability to change direction and stop or start quickly and accurately while maintaining balance.

Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS)

Basic building-block movements (locomotor, manipulative, and non-manipulative) performed across various environments.

Skill themes vs. Movement concepts

Skill themes are verbs describing movements performed, whereas movement concepts are adverbs describing how, where, and with whom movements occur.

Three categories of movement concepts

Space awareness (where), effort (how), and relationships (with whom/what).

Movement phases vs. Movement stages

Phases refer to executing a movement skill from start to finish, while stages refer to learning progression from novice to expert.

Six movement forms

Adventure, aesthetic, athletic, competitive, fitness and health, and interpersonal/relational.

STEP framework

A modification framework using Space, Task, Equipment, and People to adapt difficulty and inclusivity.

Self-Determination Theory continuum

A model explaining motivation across a spectrum from extrinsic motives to intrinsic motives.

Physical Education Hall of Shame

A collection of inappropriate PE practices and games defined by elimination, embarrassment, unsafe conditions, or low activity time.

'One line, one ball, one chance'

An inappropriate teaching practice where students wait in long lines for minimal practice opportunities.

Self-referenced comparison

Evaluating a learner's performance against their own prior performance rather than against others.

Confidence in physical activity

An individual's belief in their ability to perform a task, persist through challenges, and attempt new activities.

Knowledge and understanding in physical literacy

Grasping movement principles, safety, problem-solving, self-responsibility, and the broader context of health and well-being.