There are 42 different health care conditions related to physical inactivity and so, as we age it’s important to keep active. The term physical literacy was first used in the late 1800s but it wasn’t until Margaret Whitehead re-invented the term in 2001 that it came into popular usage. The physical literacy movement really took off in 2010.
Here is a definition of physical literacy: “Physical Literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities” (Whitehead, 2016).
Physically literate individuals consistently develop the motivation and ability to understand, communicate, apply, and analyze different forms of movement. They are able to demonstrate a variety of movements confidently, competently, creatively and strategically across a wide range of health-related physical activities. These skills enable individuals to make healthy, active choices that are both beneficial to and respectful of their whole self, others, and their environment.
The development of physical literacy is now a reality for educators and recreational leaders within programming requirements and many physical education curricula identifying the development of physically literate students as the major outcome of physical education programs.
Further information about physical literacy is available from Sport for Life here: http://sportforlife.ca/physical-literacy/
Here is an interview with Margaret Whitehead on Physical Literacy – “The term that she invented”: https://activeforlife.com/margaret-whitehead-interview/
Postscript
Club members might remember a presentation by Sara Beck from the Hamilton Police Services on the topic of human trafficking. Well, Sara plays a starring role in this video put together by HPS: https://www.thespec.com/news-story/8864898-whatever-it-takes-hamilton-police-release-a-music-video/ (Sara is front and centre in the picture in the article and appears at about 1:45 in the video).