Framing physical literacy for aging adults: an integrative review

Abstract

Purpose

Physical literacy is an important component for improving functional health for adults. However, little is known how physical literacy can be framed to support the rehabilitation needs of aging adults.

Methods

An integrative review was conducted to understand what components are used to frame physical literacy for adults. Electronic databases were searched from 2000–2021 for eligibility criteria including: 1) adults ≥45 years of age, 2) addressed physical literacy OR physical literacy components AND referred to outcomes assessing either mobility, physical function, rehabilitation, health promotion, health prevention, public health, or physical activity.

Results

A total of 22 articles met the inclusion criteria. The varied methodological quality, including grey literature (50%) to systematic reviews (14%), indicates that physical literacy for adults is a novel topic. When defining physical literacy for adults, 13 new constructs emerged with purposeful activities, knowledge of age-related changes and social interaction as the top three. Physical literacy interventions demonstrated improvements in self-efficacy, physical function, and exercise behaviour.

Conclusion

Findings from the current literature indicate that engagement in purposeful, social, and diverse activities, obtaining knowledge of age-related changes and being able to self-adapt to mobility fluctuations is the foundation to becoming a physically literate adult.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Physical literacy is emerging as a promising health strategy for adults and older adults.

• Reconceptualization of the physical literacy construct to include rehabilitation approaches is needed to address the mobility challenges associated with aging.

• The foundation to becoming a physically literate adult involves monitoring one’s ability for movement and having the knowledge to identify and remediate changes in function while engaging in purposeful movements.

• Physical literacy programs for adults and older adults have potential to positively impact important health outcomes equitably for all individuals.

Keywords:

• Physical literacy
• adults
• older adults
• chronic conditions
• health promotion

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Joy MacDermid was supported by a Canada Research Chair in Musculoskeletal Health Outcomes and Knowledge Translation and the Dr James Roth Chair in Musculoskeletal Measurement and Knowledge Translation.