Routledge Handbook of Physical Literacy
Published on 29. May 2026
692 pages
978-1-040-51137-4 (ISBN)
Description
This handbook is a comprehensive, authoritative, and evidence-based guide to contemporary and global developments in the field of physical literacy. It brings together leading scholars and practitioners from around the world to examine the importance of physical literacy across the life course.
Centred on the International Physical Literacy Association's definition of physical literacy as the "motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life", this book explores the philosophical and theoretical foundations of this powerful concept. It then takes a broad look at the impact that physical literacy has had on policy, research and practice, in sport, health, education, leisure, and recreation. Drawing on a substantial and growing evidence base, this book considers the global need for different and more impactful approaches to engaging populations in sustained and lifelong participation in physical activity. This book presents case studies of physical literacy enactment in action, considers critical perspectives on physical literacy, and suggests future directions for physical literacy research, policy, and practice.
Offering an unprecedented collection of theoretical and applied material across a range of sectors, this book is an essential reference for any student, researcher, practitioner, or policymaker with an interest in physical education, physical activity and health, the philosophy or sociology of sport and exercise, sports coaching and pedagogy, or curriculum development and teacher training in education.
Centred on the International Physical Literacy Association's definition of physical literacy as the "motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life", this book explores the philosophical and theoretical foundations of this powerful concept. It then takes a broad look at the impact that physical literacy has had on policy, research and practice, in sport, health, education, leisure, and recreation. Drawing on a substantial and growing evidence base, this book considers the global need for different and more impactful approaches to engaging populations in sustained and lifelong participation in physical activity. This book presents case studies of physical literacy enactment in action, considers critical perspectives on physical literacy, and suggests future directions for physical literacy research, policy, and practice.
Offering an unprecedented collection of theoretical and applied material across a range of sectors, this book is an essential reference for any student, researcher, practitioner, or policymaker with an interest in physical education, physical activity and health, the philosophy or sociology of sport and exercise, sports coaching and pedagogy, or curriculum development and teacher training in education.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
31 Tables, black and white; 21 Line drawings, black and white; 6 Halftones, black and white; 27 Illustrations, black and white
File size
13,76 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-51137-4 (9781040511374)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Liz Durden-Myers
Routledge Handbook of Physical Literacy
Book
05/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€302.50
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
Liz Durden-Myers is Professor of Physical Literacy and Physical Education at Bath Spa University and Senior Lecturer at the University of Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. She is the former Chair and a Co-Founder of the International Physical Literacy Association, as well as the Co-Founder and Managing Director of PE Scholar. A prominent author and researcher, Liz is widely recognised as a leading authority in the field of physical literacy. She completed her PhD under the supervision of Professor Margaret Whitehead, and her work continues to shape and influence global discourse on physical literacy.
Content
PART I
Conceptualising physical literacy
Liz Durden-Myers
1 Physical Literacy Origin(s)
Liz Durden-Myers, Gillian Bartle, Margaret Whitehead, Karamjeet
Dhillon, Brett Wilkie, and James Rudd
2 Unpacking Physical Literacy Definitions and Domains
Brett Wilkie and James Rudd
3 Physical and Literacy
Liz Durden-Myers
4 The Underpinning Principles of Physical Literacy
Liz Durden-Myers
5 Physical Literacy as a Journey
Karen Rhys Jones and Nigel Green
6 Enabling, Enriching, and Meaningful Physical Literacy Environments
Will Roberts, Carl Woods, Jordan Wintle, and Liz Durden-Myers
7 Physical Literacy and Inclusive and Equitable Opportunities
Kyle Pushkarenko and Nicholas Gosse
8 Physical Literacy and Cultural Connection
Nigel Green and Liz Durden-Myers
9 Charting Physical Literacy Progress
Nigel Green
PART II
Physical literacy philosophical foundations
Liz Durden-Myers
10 Physical Literacy Philosophical Foundations
Liz Durden-Myers
11 Physical Literacy and Monism
Jens Birch and Pal Jabekk
12 Physical Literacy and Existentialism
Liz Durden-Myers
13 Physical Literacy and Phenomenology
Gillian Bartle
14 Physical Literacy Interpretation(s)
Stacey Hannay
15 Physical Literacy and Human Flourishing
Liz Durden-Myers and Margaret Whitehead
16 Physical Literacy in the Era of Multiple Realities
Raymond Kim Wai Sum, Minghui Li, Siu Ming Choi, Ruisi Ma, Di Tang, Fong-Jia Wang, Wai Keung Ho, and Zheng Ye
17 Understanding Physical Literacy through Metaphorical Explanation
Kyle Pushkarenko, Elizabeth Howse, Jacob Sargent, Timothy Goudie, Julie Reardon, and Kelsey Blackwood
PART III
Physical literacy praxis
Liz Durden-Myers and Stacey Hannay
18 Physical Literacy as a Living Dialogue: Pathway through Praxis in the Pursuit of Understanding
Stacey Hannay and Liz Durden-Myers
Education
19 The Centrality of Physical Education's Role in Nurturing Physical Literacy
Brett Wilkie, Jonathan Foulkes, and James Rudd
20 Physical Literacy Enriched Teaching Practice
Jared Ramer, Adam Woolley, and Natalie Houser
21 Physical Literacy in Children's Early Years
Vassiliki Riga
22 Physical Activity and Physical Literacy in Early Years Education: Beyond the Grade
Natalie Weir
23 Nurturing Physical Literacy through Movement and Storytelling in the Early Years
Emma Eyre, Maria Joao Lagoa, and Michael Duncan
24 Physical Literacy Practice, Curriculum and Assessment
Suzanne Lundvall and Andreas Froeberg
Sport 291
25 The Specialisations, Professionalisation, Generalisation and Realisation -
What Even Is 21st Century 'Elite' Youth Sport?: What Even Is
21st-Century 'Elite' Youth Sport?
Gemma Parry
26 How the Mixed Ability Model Can Facilitate Physical Literacy: No Longer 'Left on the Sidelines'
Martino Corazza and Jen Dyer
Health 315
27 Towards a Systematic Development of School-Based Physical Literacy Interventions: A Case Study
Dylan Blain, Thomas Curran, and Martyn Standage
28 Physical Literacy, Health, and Health Care Provision
Liz Durden-Myers, Chris Topping, and David Kennedy
Community and the built environment
29 Leisure and Recreation
Bronwyn Corrigan, Mikaeli Cavell, Meagan Marques, Adam Fitzpatrick, and Emilie Michalovic
30 A Case Study in Developing Physical Literacy in Low-Income and Underserved Communities: Doorstep Sport
Caron Walpole and Ceris Anderson
31 Physical Literacy for Older Adults: A Call for Interactive Living
Rebecca Lloyd, Stephen Smith, Catalina Belalcazar, and Colin Milner
32 Physical Literacy and Environmental Design
Trevor Smith, Andy Mytom, Natalie Houser, Janis Bilau, Dean Kriellaars, Sarah Noble, Sam Fenton, Grim Jernudd, and Tom Englen
Policy
33 Policy Influence and Enactment
Vicky Randall, Chris Mackintosh, and Liz Durden-Myers
PART IV
Physical literacy across the world
Nigel Green and Liz Durden-Myers
34 Physical Literacy in Europe: An Overarching Perspective
Johannes Carl, Kasper Salin, and Peter Elsborg
35 Physical Literacy and its Conceptual Interpretations in a German-Nordic 'Bildung' Context
Clemens Toepfer, Mette Kurtzhals, Beatrix Alguren, Jens Birch, Johannes Carl, Peter Elsborg, Glen Nielsen, and Peter Bentsen
36 The Danish Physical Literacy Ecosystem
Peter Bentsen, Paulina Melby, Glen Nielsen, Mette Kurtzhals, Thea Toft Amholt, Knud Ryom, Niels Grinderslev, and Peter Elsborg
37 Physical Literacy in Greece
Vassiliki Riga
38 Reflections on the Development of Physical Literacy in Ireland
and Northern Ireland
Sinead Connolly, Maeve Murray, Sarahjane Belton, Elaine Murtagh, Kyle Ferguson, Wesley O'Brien, and Hannah Goss
39 A Review of Physical Literacy Development in Portugal: From Conceptual Understanding to Policy, Research, and Training Initiatives
Joao Martins, Dora Carolo, Rafael Cristao, Joao Mota, and Marcos Onofre
40 Indian Culture and Physical Literacy Philosophical Alignment
Gita Krishna Raj and Amit Malik
41 Physical Literacy in Costa Rica
Ignacio Sabate
42 Physical Literacy Development in Chinese Societies
Siu Ming Choi, Sitong Chen, Hsin-Heng Chen, Raymond Kim Wai Sum, and Yang Liu
Physical literacy considerations, contentions, and controversies
Liz Durden-Myers
43 Neoliberalism and Physical Literacy: A Complex Relationship Explored
Ben Franks, Mark O'Sullivan, Liz Durden-Myers, and Will Roberts
44 Postqualitative Inquiry
Gillian Bartle
45 Physical Literacy Misconceptions and Critiques
Liz Durden-Myers
Physical literacy assessment, measurement, and evaluation
46 Physical Literacy Assessment: Current Situation and Future Prospects
Kasper Salin, Johannes Carl, and Peter Elsborg
47 Assessment of Physical Literacy with Different Population Groups
Iuliia Pavlova
48 Measurement and Evaluation of Physical Literacy: A Contested Field
Brett Wilkie, Alastair Jordan, and James Rudd
Physical literacy possibilities
Liz Durden-Myers
49 Physical Literacy Future Recommendations and Opportunities
Johannes Carl, Johannes Jaunig, and Peter Elsborg
50 Physical Literacy (New) Horizons and Calls for Action
Liz Durden-Myers
51 In Conversation with Professor Margaret Whitehead: Closing Thoughts and Reflections
Margaret Whitehead and Liz Durden-Myers
Conceptualising physical literacy
Liz Durden-Myers
1 Physical Literacy Origin(s)
Liz Durden-Myers, Gillian Bartle, Margaret Whitehead, Karamjeet
Dhillon, Brett Wilkie, and James Rudd
2 Unpacking Physical Literacy Definitions and Domains
Brett Wilkie and James Rudd
3 Physical and Literacy
Liz Durden-Myers
4 The Underpinning Principles of Physical Literacy
Liz Durden-Myers
5 Physical Literacy as a Journey
Karen Rhys Jones and Nigel Green
6 Enabling, Enriching, and Meaningful Physical Literacy Environments
Will Roberts, Carl Woods, Jordan Wintle, and Liz Durden-Myers
7 Physical Literacy and Inclusive and Equitable Opportunities
Kyle Pushkarenko and Nicholas Gosse
8 Physical Literacy and Cultural Connection
Nigel Green and Liz Durden-Myers
9 Charting Physical Literacy Progress
Nigel Green
PART II
Physical literacy philosophical foundations
Liz Durden-Myers
10 Physical Literacy Philosophical Foundations
Liz Durden-Myers
11 Physical Literacy and Monism
Jens Birch and Pal Jabekk
12 Physical Literacy and Existentialism
Liz Durden-Myers
13 Physical Literacy and Phenomenology
Gillian Bartle
14 Physical Literacy Interpretation(s)
Stacey Hannay
15 Physical Literacy and Human Flourishing
Liz Durden-Myers and Margaret Whitehead
16 Physical Literacy in the Era of Multiple Realities
Raymond Kim Wai Sum, Minghui Li, Siu Ming Choi, Ruisi Ma, Di Tang, Fong-Jia Wang, Wai Keung Ho, and Zheng Ye
17 Understanding Physical Literacy through Metaphorical Explanation
Kyle Pushkarenko, Elizabeth Howse, Jacob Sargent, Timothy Goudie, Julie Reardon, and Kelsey Blackwood
PART III
Physical literacy praxis
Liz Durden-Myers and Stacey Hannay
18 Physical Literacy as a Living Dialogue: Pathway through Praxis in the Pursuit of Understanding
Stacey Hannay and Liz Durden-Myers
Education
19 The Centrality of Physical Education's Role in Nurturing Physical Literacy
Brett Wilkie, Jonathan Foulkes, and James Rudd
20 Physical Literacy Enriched Teaching Practice
Jared Ramer, Adam Woolley, and Natalie Houser
21 Physical Literacy in Children's Early Years
Vassiliki Riga
22 Physical Activity and Physical Literacy in Early Years Education: Beyond the Grade
Natalie Weir
23 Nurturing Physical Literacy through Movement and Storytelling in the Early Years
Emma Eyre, Maria Joao Lagoa, and Michael Duncan
24 Physical Literacy Practice, Curriculum and Assessment
Suzanne Lundvall and Andreas Froeberg
Sport 291
25 The Specialisations, Professionalisation, Generalisation and Realisation -
What Even Is 21st Century 'Elite' Youth Sport?: What Even Is
21st-Century 'Elite' Youth Sport?
Gemma Parry
26 How the Mixed Ability Model Can Facilitate Physical Literacy: No Longer 'Left on the Sidelines'
Martino Corazza and Jen Dyer
Health 315
27 Towards a Systematic Development of School-Based Physical Literacy Interventions: A Case Study
Dylan Blain, Thomas Curran, and Martyn Standage
28 Physical Literacy, Health, and Health Care Provision
Liz Durden-Myers, Chris Topping, and David Kennedy
Community and the built environment
29 Leisure and Recreation
Bronwyn Corrigan, Mikaeli Cavell, Meagan Marques, Adam Fitzpatrick, and Emilie Michalovic
30 A Case Study in Developing Physical Literacy in Low-Income and Underserved Communities: Doorstep Sport
Caron Walpole and Ceris Anderson
31 Physical Literacy for Older Adults: A Call for Interactive Living
Rebecca Lloyd, Stephen Smith, Catalina Belalcazar, and Colin Milner
32 Physical Literacy and Environmental Design
Trevor Smith, Andy Mytom, Natalie Houser, Janis Bilau, Dean Kriellaars, Sarah Noble, Sam Fenton, Grim Jernudd, and Tom Englen
Policy
33 Policy Influence and Enactment
Vicky Randall, Chris Mackintosh, and Liz Durden-Myers
PART IV
Physical literacy across the world
Nigel Green and Liz Durden-Myers
34 Physical Literacy in Europe: An Overarching Perspective
Johannes Carl, Kasper Salin, and Peter Elsborg
35 Physical Literacy and its Conceptual Interpretations in a German-Nordic 'Bildung' Context
Clemens Toepfer, Mette Kurtzhals, Beatrix Alguren, Jens Birch, Johannes Carl, Peter Elsborg, Glen Nielsen, and Peter Bentsen
36 The Danish Physical Literacy Ecosystem
Peter Bentsen, Paulina Melby, Glen Nielsen, Mette Kurtzhals, Thea Toft Amholt, Knud Ryom, Niels Grinderslev, and Peter Elsborg
37 Physical Literacy in Greece
Vassiliki Riga
38 Reflections on the Development of Physical Literacy in Ireland
and Northern Ireland
Sinead Connolly, Maeve Murray, Sarahjane Belton, Elaine Murtagh, Kyle Ferguson, Wesley O'Brien, and Hannah Goss
39 A Review of Physical Literacy Development in Portugal: From Conceptual Understanding to Policy, Research, and Training Initiatives
Joao Martins, Dora Carolo, Rafael Cristao, Joao Mota, and Marcos Onofre
40 Indian Culture and Physical Literacy Philosophical Alignment
Gita Krishna Raj and Amit Malik
41 Physical Literacy in Costa Rica
Ignacio Sabate
42 Physical Literacy Development in Chinese Societies
Siu Ming Choi, Sitong Chen, Hsin-Heng Chen, Raymond Kim Wai Sum, and Yang Liu
Physical literacy considerations, contentions, and controversies
Liz Durden-Myers
43 Neoliberalism and Physical Literacy: A Complex Relationship Explored
Ben Franks, Mark O'Sullivan, Liz Durden-Myers, and Will Roberts
44 Postqualitative Inquiry
Gillian Bartle
45 Physical Literacy Misconceptions and Critiques
Liz Durden-Myers
Physical literacy assessment, measurement, and evaluation
46 Physical Literacy Assessment: Current Situation and Future Prospects
Kasper Salin, Johannes Carl, and Peter Elsborg
47 Assessment of Physical Literacy with Different Population Groups
Iuliia Pavlova
48 Measurement and Evaluation of Physical Literacy: A Contested Field
Brett Wilkie, Alastair Jordan, and James Rudd
Physical literacy possibilities
Liz Durden-Myers
49 Physical Literacy Future Recommendations and Opportunities
Johannes Carl, Johannes Jaunig, and Peter Elsborg
50 Physical Literacy (New) Horizons and Calls for Action
Liz Durden-Myers
51 In Conversation with Professor Margaret Whitehead: Closing Thoughts and Reflections
Margaret Whitehead and Liz Durden-Myers
