Rethinking learning: unveiling the role of motor activities

This essay explores the evolving role of motor activities in education, highlighting their diminished educational value and the need for a pedagogical rethink. It examines the shift in physical education (PE) from a holistic learning tool to a focus on physical training, critiquing the lack of clear definitions for terms like "Physical Activity," "Exercise," and "Sport." The paper discusses challenges in PE curricula, including resistance to innovation and the dominance of biomedical perspectives on health, while proposing "Motor Education" (Educazione Motoria) as a framework to integrate physical, cognitive, and social development. It also addresses evidence-based pedagogy, the theory-practice gap in sport pedagogy research, and the methodological challenges in training future researchers, advocating for a balanced approach that bridges traditional and innovative practices to enhance educational outcomes.