Assessment of Physical Literacy Levels of Elementary School Students in Physical Education Learning Using CAPL-2: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. This study aims to analyze and classify the physical literacy levels of elementary school students using CAPL-2 and identify potential differences based on gender across three key domains: Physical Competence, Motivation & Confidence, and Knowledge & Understanding.

Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 169 students aged 8–12 years from ten elementary schools in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Data were collected using CAPL-2, focusing on three domains: Physical Competence (assessed via CAMSA), Motivation & Confidence, and Knowledge & Understanding. Descriptive statistics, Independent Sample Test, and categorical classification were used for data analysis..

Results. The findings revealed that the majority of students were categorized in the Beginning and Progressing levels across all domains. Boys scored slightly higher in Physical Competence, while girls outperformed boys significantly in Knowledge & Understanding (p = 0.017). No significant gender differences were observed in the Motivation & Confidence domain.

Conclusions. The overall physical literacy levels of Indonesian elementary school students remain below optimal standards, with significant gaps in Knowledge & Understanding. Holistic interventions are needed, including improved curriculum design, teacher training, equal access to facilities, and community involvement, to enhance physical literacy outcomes in Indonesia.