Physical Activity, Fitness, and Physical Education

Dear Colleagues,

The relationship between physical activity and physical fitness is complex and bidirectional, and both are independently related to health and academic performance. Currently, most children fail to engage in the recommended 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per day, and this lack of participation has contributed to a high prevalence of paediatric obesity, decrease in fitness and greater risk of disease.

To understand the relationship of physical activity and fitness to health we need to recognize the developmental changes that occur throughout maturation. These developmental changes refer to the acquisition and refinement of behaviour relating to competence in a variety of interrelated domains, such as motor, social, emotional and cognitive competence.

Within a physical education setting, a sound understanding of growth patterns and developmental stages is critical to provide appropriate movement experiences that promote motor skill development. Mastering fundamental motor skills is critical as these skills serve as the foundation for more advanced and sport-specific movement, and aid in promoting participation in physical activity.

This Special Issue presents essential research articles and reviews of the most recent findings in the areas of perceived and actual motor competence, fundamental motor skills, motor development in disadvantaged groups and sleep and how they interact with participation in physical activity. We will also showcase video technology and how it can enhance pre-service teachers’ delivery of FMS in a school setting.

Dr. Mandy S. Plumb
Guest Editor

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