Measuring physical literacy and its association with interscholastic sports intention in sixth-grade physical education students

SHAPE America's national standards indicate the path to physical literacy functions as the means by which physical education (PE) students gain the ability, confidence, and desire to be physically active (SHAPE America, 2015). Problem statement: Given definitions of physical literacy vary, the measurement tools of physical literacy, though limited, also vary. The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of proposed models of physical literacy, examine correlates of physical literacy, and investigate the significance of the relationship between physical literacy and intention to participate in physical activity in the future (i.e., interscholastic sports). Methods: Participants were 400 (231 female, 169 male) sixth-grade PE students who completed assessments of maturation, self-efficacy, motivation, self-esteem, knowledge and understanding, physical activity, sport participation, and interscholastic sport intention. In addition, students completed a healthrelated physical fitness test, an overhand throwing skill assessment, and a sedentary behavior log. Structural equation modeling was used to test the model fit of proposed measurement models of physical literacy and explore correlates of physical literacy. Results: Analyses offered overall support for the proposed physical literacy measurement models. Construct validity was further demonstrated by statistically significant positive associations with physical activity and sport team participation, and statistically significant negative association with screen-time sedentary behavior. In addition, results revealed a statistically significant positive path between physical literacy and interscholastic sport intention. Discussion: The implications of promoting physical literacy within PE are discussed in light of the three higher-order underlying factors of physical literacy. Further evidence of validity and application to PE curriculum is warranted.