Physical literacy in older adults: An evolutionary concept analysis

To clarify the concept of physical literacy in older adults by defining its related attributes, antecedents, and consequences, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for future nursing research and practice.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across English databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and EBSCOhost) and Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and China Science and Technology Journal Database) from inception to July 2025. Articles were included if they addressed the definition, antecedents, consequences, assessment tools, or exemplar cases of physical literacy in older adults. Rodgers' evolutionary method of concept analysis was applied to analyze the selected literature.

A total of 30 articles were included. The concept of physical literacy in older adults was characterized by four key attributes: 1) embodiment, developed through embodied experiences; 2) multidimensionality, consisting of multiple dimensions (encompassing physical, cognitive, affective, and social domains); 3) physical resilience, adaptive to the challenges of aging and disease; 4) a comprehensive competence that promotes sustained engagement in physical activity. Antecedents were identified at the micro-, meso-, and macro-levels. Micro-level encompasses socio-demographic factors, age-related physical functions and health constraints, attitudes toward aging, past physical activity experiences, and purposeful physical pursuits. Meso-level focuses on the diverse social support provided by family, peers, and professionals. Macro-level involves physical activity support resources and sociocultural climates. Consequences included enhanced levels of individual physical activity, maintenance and restoration of physical function, improved overall health and quality of life, and reduced societal burden. Physical literacy in older adults refers to a comprehensive capacity that promotes sustained participation in physical activity, developed through bodily experiences, encompassing multiple dimensions including physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects, and embodied as physical resilience that enables individuals to adapt to various challenges brought by aging and disease.

Clarifying the concept of physical literacy in older adults provides a foundational starting point for future research, including refining and developing assessment tools, designing nursing intervention strategies, and supporting practices that promote healthy aging.