Vana Piccini1, Petra Rajkovic Vuletic1, Damir Sekulic1
1University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Split, Croatia
Physical Literacy in Later Life: One-Year Changes in Older Women Participating in Community-Based Exercise
Sport Mont 2026, 24(3), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/smj.261020
Abstract
Physical literacy (PL) is recognized as an important concept in maintaining physical activity even in older individuals, but studies have rarely examined the changes in PL as a result of structured exercise programs in older participants. The aim of this pilot study was to examine changes in PL among older women over a one-year period of participation in a community-based exercise program and to determine whether baseline sociodemographic characteristics were associ- ated with the magnitude of these changes. The participants were 51 women (71.3±5.9 years) involved in a community outdoor-exercise program in southern Croatia. Sociodemographic variables (age, educational level, living environment, socioeconomic status) were assessed at baseline, while data on the regularity of participation in the exercise program were assessed at the end of the study (one year later). PL status was assessed at baseline and follow-up via a validated questionnaire (Perceived Physical Literacy Questionnaire for South Eastern Europe). The overall PL improved over the one-year period, with the most pronounced improvements observed in the motivation and confidence domains (5.4%, 7.4%, and 11.8% for the overall PL, motivation-, and confidence-domain, respectively, all at p<0.05). Baseline sociode- mographic characteristics were not associated with the magnitude of these changes. More consistent participation in exercise program was associated with greater improvements in PL. This pilot study provides evidence that PL can be improved even in older age, with most evident improvements in the motivation and confidence domains of PL. Further- more, a controlled study design is needed to confirm this preliminary evidence.
Keywords
physical literacy, sociodemographic factors, aged, female, exercise, motivation, self-efficacy
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