Revisiting physical literacy: The Holy Grail of health, wellness, and sport development

For the first time in history, this generation is expected to die five years younger than their parents

This video is part of Nike’s Designed to Move campaign. While it’s entertaining and well-produced, it conveys a disturbing message: for the first time ever, the current generation will have five fewer years of life than their parents. The reason behind this is a long-term decline in the number of opportunities youngsters have for physical activity. The video was produced in 2012, so are things better now than they were then?

Children are using smartphones and tablets as electronic babysitters at increasingly earlier ages, youth sport opportunities are gradually pricing themselves out of the middle class market exactly as they did for most working-class families years ago, and esports—yes, esports!—are an actual thing now.

The health implications of this rising inactivity are obvious. Unlike much of the fitness advice and programs available to adults it won't be much help when today's youngsters reach their teens and suddenly decide that it's time to put down the game controller and get off the couch. Years spent in a relatively sedentary lifestyle will have prevented them from learning basic movement skills. They won't have the skill set needed to participate in fitness let alone sport activities.

I wrote the following article in 2015 when the term physical literacy was still fairly new. As with several of my recent articles, it is pre-Substack and because of that, got very little attention. It's been revised slightly for clarity and length.

---

Physical literacy is the cornerstone of a long, healthy, and active life. It’s a term used by physical educators and sport experts, but for many its application to sport education and performance is vague. What is it? And what does it mean to be physically literate?

There are several definitions of physical literacy but this one is useful in terms of physical fitness and athlete development.

To be physically literate includes the ability to move with poise and confidence across a wide range of activities. James Mandigo, Brock University

Physical literacy serves as the bedrock for lifelong physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. When children develop fundamental movement skills and have ample opportunities for sports participation, they pave the way for successful and enduring athletic participation. Over time, youth sport and physical activity translates into a higher quality of life, thus reducing healthcare costs as populations age.

Children begin learning fundamental movement skills at a very young age, with the prime learning period occurring between the ages of 7 and 11. During this period, children acquire fundamental movements swiftly and effortlessly, making it crucial for them to engage in a diverse range of activities.

Those who haven’t mastered fundamentals by the age of 12 face a disadvantage as they grow older. Learning movement skills is like learning language, it’s easier at younger ages; learning them later is possible but more challenging.

A lack of basic skill hinders a child’s participation in youth sport and reduces the likelihood of their engaging in physical activity as they age. Moreover, if they do try to participate in youth sport programs, lack of basic skill reduces their chance of success and enjoyment, which often leads to premature dropout.

For those youngsters who don’t join sport programs being physically literate serves as the foundation for various activities throughout life. They will still have the skills necessary to participate in games and activities popular in their culture and be able to lead an active and healthy life.

Physical literacy affects overall athlete development

Sport clubs emphasize the teaching and training of youngsters once they join a sport club giving the impression that coaches and trainers are ‘starting from scratch’ with the sport’s skills. However, this is misleading. Children have to have some basic movement knowledge before they can successfully participate in youth sport programs even at the beginning levels.

Without basic skills, children are unable to participate effectively and lose interest. Physically il-literate children who do join youth programs are more prone to dropout because they can’t enjoy the sport as much as others who have foundational skills. Of the several reasons young athletes drop out of sports, this one is largely preventable.

Physical literacy is the foundation of athleticism

Athleticism, the quality that enables elite athletes to captivate us with their exceptional skill, speed, agility, and grace, is often associated with the sport or game itself. We assume it’s developed within the context of the sport experience rather than being cultivated elsewhere. However, athleticism has its roots much earlier in life, long before organized sport becomes a practical endeavor.

Athleticism emerges when children are permitted to engage in play and explore movement, acquiring a diverse range of activities.

When athletes join a sport, they bring their athleticism with them. Depending on each child’s background in movement activities some may initially display greater athleticism than others leading to the misconception that some youngsters possess inherent athleticism, while others lack it.

In youth sports, a child’s ability is relative to their peers and largely determined by natural yet temporary attributes such as height, weight, speed, and strength. But skills are influenced by the type and number of opportunities children have before their youth sport participation. This includes PE classes, after-school programs, and other recreational activities not directly related to sport training.

While learning fundamental movement skills like running, jumping, throwing, and catching are not part of a typical youth sport experience, addressing this aspect of athlete development can have significant long-term benefits for clubs. However, providing such activities may exceed the expertise of a sports club, lacking the necessary staffing, equipment, or facilities. Moreover, parents often expect short-term, sport-specific training when registering their children for youth sport programs. Convincing parents that 8-year-old swimmers or soccer players should engage in gymnastic-like practices once or twice a week can be a challenge.

There is a high cost to being physically illiterate

Just as there is a cost to individuals who lack skills in reading or numeracy, being physically illiterate also carries a cost. The impact extends beyond the individual, affecting society as a whole. Children who never develop fundamental movement skills shy away from physical activities and remain largely inactive throughout their lives. Lack of skills hinders their ability to participate in youth sports and other cultural activities, preventing effective socialization. Moreover, their sedentary lifestyle eventually sets a poor example for their own children, perpetuating the cycle of inactivity, obesity, and lifestyle diseases.

The consequences of this inactivity on personal lives and healthcare costs are well-documented. Inactive adults are more susceptible to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and various chronic ailments. Obesity alone contributes $190 billion annually to healthcare costs in the United States. This burden is expected to grow as the care for the physically inactive consumes an increasingly larger share of the economy.

---

Physical literacy is more than just a concept; it is an essential life skill that lays the groundwork for lifelong health, well-being, and athletic potential. By fostering fundamental movement skills from an early age, we not only prepare children for success in sports but also instill habits that promote active, healthy lifestyles well into adulthood.