Thursday, April 9, 2015

Physical Literacy Consensus Statement - We Need Your Input

Dear OSPAPPH Members, 

As practitioners or researchers whose work is in some way connected with physical literacy and/or the promotion of physical activity, sport and recreation, you are being invited to participate in a survey soliciting your opinion on a draft of Canada’s Physical Literacy Consensus Statement. 

Increasing interest in physical literacy among various stakeholders has led to many developments in advancing its promotion and support through a proliferation of initiatives. Excitement around the emergence of this new term has also led to a variety of definitions, and  sometimes a misuse of the concept by using it interchangeably with terms such as ‘physical activity’, ‘physical education’, ‘fundamental movement skills’ or ‘motor skill development’. Consultation with sector leaders in Canada revealed that a common definition was needed and desired. A uniform definition with consistent language would provide clarity for the development of policy, practice and research.

The Consensus Statement has been prepared by a Steering Committee comprised of ten individuals from seven organizations with both a Canadian and international perspective*. These organizations, coming with various perspectives and definitions of physical literacy, convened to examine a process to develop a Consensus Statement.  What resulted was agreement to put forward the definition developed by the International Physical Literacy Association, which is based on both evidence and consultations with a variety of sectors.

This Consensus Statement presents a definition of physical literacy as well as a description of the elements of the definition.  As the final stage in the development of this Consensus Statement we are seeking to gain feedback about the clarity of the Consensus Statement, as well as level of agreement, perceived importance, and support for the Consensus Statement from a large number of practitioners in the fields represented by each of the contributing collaborators (e.g., sport, recreation, education, public health, health promotion, physical activity, etc.).

Acceptance of a common definition is important for the alignment of strategic efforts in policy, practice, and research aimed at promoting physical literacy.  Following this broad stakeholder consultation and subsequent revisions, the final Consensus Statement will be launched at the International Physical Literacy Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in June, 2015. Further discussions will lead to the production and publication of a more detailed background document on the process and outcomes related to the production of the Consensus Statement.

Participation in this survey is voluntary. By accessing and completing this survey you are giving your implied/passive consent to participate in the survey. The survey does not collect information about your name or email address and responses will be presented in group format only. A summary of findings will be available on the ParticipACTION website (www.ParticipACTION.com) once the results have been published and will also be sent to participating organizations for distribution to members. If you have any questions about this study, please contact Dr. Mark Tremblay at 613-737-7600 ext 4114 or mtremblay@cheo.on.ca. The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Ethics Board (REB) has reviewed this protocol. The REB considers ethical aspects of all research studies involving human participants at the CHEO and its Research Institute. If you have any questions about your rights as a study participant, you may contact the CHEO REB Chairperson at 613-737-7600 ext 3624. Note: Canada’s Physical Literacy Consensus Statement is in draft form and not intended for general circulation.

Click on the link below for more information on the survey and instructions on how to get started.  Thanks for your time!


We encourage you to circulate the survey link to your colleagues and among your networks. This stakeholder survey will be open from April 9 until April 24, 2015. 

*Canada’s Physical Literacy Consensus Statement is the result of a collaborative process between ParticipACTION, Sport for Life Society, the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, PHE Canada, Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, and the Ontario Society of Physical Activity Promoters in Public Health. Representatives from the International Physical Literacy Association also contributed in an advisory capacity.