Alignment of physical education curricula with physical literacy across Europe: an observational mapping study with country-level predictors

Citation

Carl J, Salin K, Barnett LM, Foweather L, Jurak G, Martins J, Müller I, O'Brien W, Venetsanou F, Singh A, Elsborg P, Goss H, Lundvall S, EUROPLIT GROUP & EUROPLIT GROUP (2026) Alignment of physical education curricula with physical literacy across Europe: an observational mapping study with country-level predictors. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 65, Art. No.: 101641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101641

Abstract
Background Physical literacy (PL) is recognised by UNESCO and WHO for fostering lifelong physical activity. Although PL stands on the global agenda of health and education policies, analyses of the adoption by European education are scant. This study aimed to map the alignment of physical education with PL in Europe, explore potential predictors at country level, and identify country ‘alignment laggards’. Methods Experts from 40 European countries assessed the alignment of national physical education curricula with PL using a pre-validated 15-indicator survey (α = 0·86). Country-level PL alignment scores were calculated and mapped. Regression models investigated whether these scores were predicted by educational attainment (PISA), human development (Human Development Index), relative economic strength (Gross Domestic Product/Capita), societal liberty (Human Freedom Index), and innovation spirit (Global Innovation Index). Residual errors were computed to identify association-adjusted ‘laggards’ in curricular PL alignment. Findings Significant heterogeneity in PL alignment existed across Europe. Estonia, Wales, Finland, and Norway showed the highest, and Romania, Croatia, Cyprus, and England the lowest PL alignment. Countries' educational attainment (β = 0·43 [CI95 0·13, 0·65], p = 0·0062), human development (β = 0·32 [CI95 0·011, 0·58], p = 0·043), and innovation spirit (β = 0·32 [CI95 0·0071, 0·58], p = 0·046) were significantly associated with curricular PL alignment but not relative economic strength and liberty. A total of 17 European countries were consistent ‘laggards’ in curricular PL alignment across all significant predictors. Interpretation PL policies follow educational, developmental, and innovative gradients. Stakeholders should integrate PL as a strategic lever to transform physical education, guiding curricula and programmes to foster health through lifelong physical activity.

Keywords
Children; Curriculum; Exercise; Physical activity; Schools; Teaching; Wellbeing

Notes
Additional authors: Iuliia Pavlova, Cristiana D'Anna, Petr Vlček on behalf of the EUROPLIT group: Beatrix Algurén, Branislav Antala, Jens Birch, Anna Bryant, Jorge Carlos-Vivas, Efstathios Christodoulides, Tamás Csányi, Kristine De Martelaer, Arunas Emeljanovas, Gonca Eren, Andra Fernāte, Barbara Gilic, Thordis Gisladottir, Nigel Green, Dorota Groffik, Sandra Heck, Ivo van Hilvoorde, Mikko Huhtiniemi, Teodora-Mihaela Iconomescu, Johannes Jaunig, Ellen Jones, Anne Kelso, Andre Koka, Christoph Kreinbucher-Bekerle, Ida Laudańska-Krzemińska, Bojan Masanovic, Paul McFlynn, Melanie McKee, María Mendoza-Muñoz, Paulina S. Melby, Brigita Mieziene, Ivana Milanović, Eleonora Mileva, Alexandre Mouton, Zsolt Németh, Bogdan Sorin Olaru, Marcos Onofre, Petro Petrytsa, Maret Pihu, Biljana Popeska, Stevo Popovic, André Poweleit, Snežana Radisavljević Janić, Vassiliki Riga, Christophe Schnitzler, Damir Sekulic, Marina Semyonova, Baiba Smila, Clemens Töpfer, Olia Tsivitanidou, Jana Vašíčková, Øystein Winje, Viviana Zito, Günay Yıldızer

Journal
The Lancet Regional Health - Europe: Volume 65

• Alignment-of-physical-education-curricula-with-phy