Physical Education and Physical Activity Promotion: Lifestyle Sports as Meaningful Experiences

Jordan Wintle

doi:10.3390/educsci12030181

Abstract

The value of embracing a physically active lifestyle has been well documented in recent times. However, despite this knowledge, physical activity levels in many western societies remain worryingly low in both adult and youth populations. Habit formation in youth is a key indicator of engagement in physical activity as an adult; therefore, maximising opportunities to develop motivation in young people is vitally important to increase the likelihood of maintaining physical activity habits as an adult. A key factor for the development of motivation is school-based physical education. This review considers the current landscape of physical education as a vehicle for physical activity promotion, and suggests that a change of approach that moves away from physical education focusing solely on sport techniques is long overdue. A culturally relevant curriculum that includes lifestyle sports, with a focus on mastery and enjoyment through a meaningful experiences approach, is proposed as a viable update to current practice.

Highlights

Participation in physical activity (PA) has been regularly highlighted as a vitally important aspect of health and wellbeing across the globe [1]
Imperative that we seek to provide positive experiences for young people that maximise the likelihood that they will see value and enjoyment in continuing to engage in PA as they progress into adulthood
This review aims to consider how we might encourage more young people to take part in physical activity as part of an enriching lifestyle, using Physical education (PE) in schools as a vehicle

Summary

Introduction

Participation in physical activity (PA) has been regularly highlighted as a vitally important aspect of health and wellbeing across the globe [1]. Habit formation in youth has been highlighted as a key predictor of adult PA [7–10] It is, imperative that we seek to provide positive experiences for young people that maximise the likelihood that they will see value and enjoyment in continuing to engage in PA as they progress into adulthood. This review aims to consider how we might encourage more young people to take part in physical activity as part of an enriching lifestyle, using PE in schools as a vehicle. It argues that lifetsyle sports have a place in PE curricula, it is important that the pedagogies associated with these activities are aligned to the ethos and culture experienced by participants in real-world settings

The Health of Young People: A Rising Concern

Time for Change in Physical Education?

Meaningful Experiences and Lifestyle Sports

A New Curriculum for School Programs—Part 1