Mapping Movement Integration in Secondary Schools: A Scoping Review of Evidence

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Kinesiology
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) is crucial for adolescent development, but many adolescents do not meet PA guidelines.
• Movement integration (MI) effectively increases PA in elementary schools, but its application in secondary schools is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review mapping the empirical evidence on movement integration (MI) in secondary school settings.
• To identify common MI strategies, theoretical underpinnings, and methodological approaches used in secondary schools.

Main Methods:

• Adherence to Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and PRISMA-Scoping guidelines.
• Comprehensive search of seven electronic databases (Nov 2023, Aug 2025) including secondary school students and professionals.
• Inclusion criteria focused on studies involving secondary school populations; exclusions for non-typically developing children and unpublished documents.

Main Results:

• 44 studies (2014-2025) from 11 countries involving 59,973 participants were included.
• Most common MI strategies were non-academic movement breaks (31) and academic subject integration (28).
• Key findings emphasized student-centered benefits, contextual alignment, implementation feasibility, adaptability, and the need for diverse strategies.

Conclusions:

• Movement integration (MI) is a promising strategy for promoting physical activity among adolescents in secondary schools.
• Further research is needed to explore and optimize MI in secondary school environments.