Treasured but not measured ?: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical literacy in children and adolescents

TL;DR

This paper explores how the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected children's and adolescents' physical literacy, but finds insufficient evidence to confirm a decline.

Contribution

The study highlights the lack of evidence on physical literacy changes post-pandemic and advocates for its inclusion in public health monitoring.

Findings

Only one study was found showing a decline in physical literacy among Canadian children aged 8–14 between 2019 and 2020.

The lack of sufficient evidence on the topic is identified as a critical gap in public health research.

The authors recommend including physical literacy in public health surveillance systems.

Abstract

Physical literacy is treasured because it underpins participation in physical activity and sport in children and adolescents. Physical literacy might have declined following COVID-19 movement restrictions, but whether such a decline took place is uncertain. This study aimed to examine if a post-COVID-19 decline in physical literacy occurred in children and adolescents.

A systematic review, registered on PROSPERO CRD42025646499 in February 2025, was used to assess changes in physical literacy following the COVID-19 pandemic in healthy, typically developing 3–18 year olds. Searching in June 2025 used 7 databases: Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PsychINFO, CINAHL, PubMed, Sports Medicine & Education Index and a grey literature search in Global Think Tanks.Risk of bias assessment used the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) instrument.

Only one eligible study was identified, which reported declining physical literacy in 8–14 year olds in Canada between 2019 and 2020.Evidence quality was moderate as assessed using the EPHPP.

The impact of COVID-19 movement restrictions on physical literacy in children and adolescents could not be assessed due to lack of evidence. The lack of evidence on such an important topic is a valuable finding in itself. Understanding trends in physical literacy will require greater monitoring, and the inclusion of physical literacy measurement in public health surveillance. If physical literacy is really treasured it should be measured.

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