Four domains for development for all (4D4D4All): A holistic, physical literacy framework

People participate in many different types of physical activity, both daily and across their life span, but research on human movement is often siloed by type (sport, exercise, active transportation, etc.). Models developed for understanding participation in specific types of physical activity remain useful in those contexts, but are insufficient for describing, explaining, or enhancing movement at the individual or societal level. Physical literacy has the potential to serve this purpose, but its current application does not fulfill its potential for holistic and inclusive promotion of movement. This paper therefore introduces a new framework for physical literacy, Four Domains for Development for All (4D4D4All). This framework highlights the interrelations among the physical, psychological, social, and creative aspects of movement, and emphasizes how development across all four domains can be supported through the interrelations of individuals and their contexts. In this paper, we introduce the 4D4D4All framework and present ideas for its application in research and practice. Specifically, this individualized, holistic, and inclusive approach to physical literacy is an alternative to models that emphasize the production of podium-driven athletes or focus on meeting physical activity guidelines, and is therefore better suited to facilitate the development of flourishing active people. Lay summary: Current models of sport and physical activity participation do not adequately describe the developmental experiences of individuals moving in a variety of contexts. Our new physical literacy framework, Four Domains for Development for All (4D4D4All), enables all movement contexts to better support well-being through a focus on holistic individual development.