RESEARCH INSTITUTE

RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Canadian Assessment of

Physical Literacy
Stacey Alpous and Amlie Fournier
March 12th, 2015

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www.haloresearch.ca
@haloresearch

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What is Physical Literacy?

Physical literacy is being
defined here as the
attributes, characteristics,
skills and behaviors that are
related to the capacity for,
and commitment to, a
healthy, active lifestyle

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The Canadian Assessment of Physical

Literacy (CAPL) Development
Most test batteries focus singularly on fitness, motor
skills or physical activity
Provincial curricula beginning to focus on physical
literacy but no objective assessment
Canadian Sport for Life and Long-Term Athlete
Development model has physical literacy as a central
concept but no measure
Repeated call for an assessment
instrument for research
and surveillance

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Pedometer step counts

1000 < count < 30000 daily
Minimum of 10 hours on 3
days
Reported sedentary time
Self-reported screen time
Weekdays/evenings/weeken
ds
Self-reported MVPA
How many days > 60 mins

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Motor skill
Obstacle course score and
time
Aerobic endurance
PACER shuttle run
Body composition
Height
Weight
Waist circumference
Musculoskeletal fitness
Grip strength
Plank isometric hold
Sit and Reach flexibility

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Activity guidelines
Daily physical activity
Screen time
Safety during activity
Use of safety gear during
activity
Physical activity
terminology
Meaning of healthy
Endurance or aerobic fitness
Muscular strength or
endurance
Training to improve fitness
How to improve fitness
How to improve skill

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Activity predilection
Predilection subscale of
CSAPPA
Activity adequacy
Adequacy subscale of
CSAPPA
Comparison to peers
How active are you
How skilled are you
Benefits to barriers ratio
A reason I am active is
A reason I am not active is
Preference for leisure time
After school what would you
do

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Physical
Competence
(32)

Knowledge
and
Understanding
(18)

Daily
Behaviour
(32)

Motivation for
Physical
Activity
(18)

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www.capl-ecsfp.ca

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Current Studies Related to CAPL

CAPL-RBC Learn to Play Project

Health Through Physical Literacy for Ontario Children
Putting Physical Literacy within REACH
Assessment of the Y Kids Academy
International comparison Canada-Kenya-South
Africa

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Successes
CAPL training materials
(English and French)
Functional website and
database
2,471 participants
51 users
1000 unique visitors per
month
850 000 Data points

Challenges

Participant compliance
Missing data
Political environment
Ethics surrounding body
composition
measurements

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Acknowledgements