Identifying Criteria for a Physical Literacy Screening Task: An Expert Delphi Process

Background: REACH (Recreation, Education, Allied-health, Coaching, Healthcare) leaders provide critical support for children’s physical literacy. This project established screening criteria to identify children needing significant support for a healthy, active lifestyle.

Methods: A 3-round expert Delphi process sought consensus regarding physical literacy screening. Group discussions (Round 1) identified screening issues. Qualitative analyses of meeting notes by two researchers represented the issues as statements. Experts rated each statement (5-point Likert scale) in Rounds 2 and 3. Experts were aware of the mean Round 2 rating for each statement during Round 3. A priori consensus was 75% of participants stating agree/strongly agree.

Results: Fifty-three experts were invited to participate, with 37 (63% female, mean career length = 16 years) providing consent. Each round comprised at least 7 experts with primary/secondary expertise for each REACH sector. Round 1 identified 60 criteria and 27 potential screening tasks, which were represented in 90 statements. Consensus was achieved for 44/90 statements in Round 2 and 51/90 statements in Round 3. The tasks should be suitable for research and practice, with individuals or groups of children, and including those with disabilities. The assessment of physical activity and sedentary behavior, motor skill, cardiorespiratory fitness, and activity motivation is important. Providing results useful to REACH leaders and a decision tree for further follow up are recommended.

Conclusions: A physical literacy screening tool would enable leaders in recreation, education, allied health, coaching, and healthcare to identify children with low physical literacy. Expert consensus suggests the screening should use objectively measured tasks and questionnaires encompassing multiple facets of physical literacy, including motor competence, motivation, strength, endurance, and daily behavior. Research is required to identify potential tasks that meet these criteria and are suitable for each REACH sector.