The awareness of the importance of physical literacy (PL) is globally increasing; however, knowledge of the applicability of PL measurement tools in southeastern Europe is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of translated versions of the CAPL-2 and PLAYself questionnaires in 9- to 11-year-old elementary school children from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The participants were 303 children (141 girls; all 9 to 11 years of age) from Croatia (n = 71), Bosnia and Herzegovina (n = 162), and Montenegro (n = 70), enrolled in regular elementary school. The participants were tested throughout a test–retest procedure using two PL evaluation tools, i.e., the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (shorter version, CAPL-2) and the Physical Literacy Assessment of Youth (PLAYself) questionnaires. With an intraclass correlation (ICC) of 0.70–0.80 for specific questionnaire subscales and 0.84 for the total score, PLAYself was found to be reliable. With Kappa values of 0.11–0.23 and a percentage of absolute agreement of less than 62%, CAPL-2 appeared to be less reliable. Factors related to sport participation were significantly positively associated with the PLAYself score, indicating its proper validity. In conclusion, we suggest the usage of the PLAYself questionnaire in further studies examining PL in children of a similar age in the region. Future studies in other age groups and languages are also warranted.

Physical literacy (PL) is theorized to be an important determinant of physical fitness (PF) and physical activity levels (PALs), but studies have rarely examined possible correlations between PL, PF, and PAL in preadolescent children. This study aimed to evaluate age-specific and gender-specific correlations between the affective and cognitive domains of PL (PL_AC), PF, and PAL in preadolescents. Additionally, the test–retest reliability of the applied PF tests was examined. The participants were 107 children (9 to 11 years of age; 53 girls). Apart from gender and school age (third graders, fourth graders), the variables included PL_AC, PAL, and PF. PF was evaluated by anthropometrics and body composition indices, sit-ups, push-ups, PACER tests, torso lifts, and broad jump. PL_AC was evaluated using the PLAYself questionnaire, and the PAQ-C was used to evaluate PAL. The test–retest reliability of the PF tests was appropriate to high (ICC: 0.65–0.91). Analyses showed nonsignificant associations between PL_AC and PAL in both genders and age groups. PAL was significantly correlated with PL in girls (low correlation) and fourth graders (moderate correlation). The nonsignificant associations between PL_AC and PF could be a consequence of the influence of biological maturity on PF in this age group. The correlation between PAL and PL_AC can be explained by the differences in physical activity habits between genders and age groups, with participation in structured physical activities (organized sports and physical education) being the most important source of PAL in girls and older children.

Background/Objectives: The evaluation of metabolic and physiological health indicators in people with Down syndrome (DS) is crucial, since these people are more prone to metabolic problems. However, there is limited scientific evidence regarding the health status and health literacy (HL) of adults with DS and their legal guardians. This study aimed to assess the health status of adults with DS and determine the HL levels of their legal guardians. Methods: Eighteen adults (11 females, 7 males) with DS aged 28.64 ± 9.01 years were tested for health status, and their legal guardians completed the HL survey. Gender differences in all study variables were checked by t-tests for independent samples and Cohen’s D effect sizes (ESs). Differences in all study variables between parents with low and adequate HL were calculated via receiver operating characteristic curves. Results: Males were overweight, whereas females were obese (mean BMI = 26.51 and 30.10 for males and females, respectively). Females had higher high-density lipoprotein concentrations (large ES), whereas males had higher hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations (large ES). Hematological parameters were the most significant variables that differed between parents with limited and adequate HL status (AUC = 0.79–0.87). Conclusions: These findings suggest that in the absence of severe comorbidities, adults with DS may achieve stable health profiles, particularly when supported by structured physical activity and informed caregiving. The influence of parental HL on health parameters points to the potential for parent-targeted health education to improve health outcomes and promote autonomy in individuals with DS through supported decision-making. Thus, our findings highlight the need for greater investment in caregiver and parental health education and systemic support to optimize health outcomes in adults with DS. Future research should explore interventions aimed at improving parental HL and examine the extent to which these efforts translate into improved health outcomes for people with DS.

Improving physical literacy (PL) is recognized as a potentially effective approach for enhancing overall physical activity (PA) and fitness status, including body composition, but few studies have examined the impact of PL-oriented education on directly measured PA and body composition in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a three-month quasi-experimental PL-based educational intervention, delivered as part of the regular physical education (PE) curriculum, in preadolescent children. A total of 119 children aged 9–11 years (51 girls) from southern Croatia participated in the study and were assigned to either a control group (n = 68) or an intervention group (n = 51). The intervention group received a PL-focused educational program integrated into regular PE classes, whereas the control group followed the standard PE curriculum. PA was assessed using accelerometers, and body composition was measured using bioimpedance analysis. A pre–post–retention design was applied (baseline at the start of the school year, post-intervention in December, and retention testing at the end of the school year), and a three-way repeated-measures ANOVA (group × gender × time) was conducted. The intervention prevented declines in vigorous physical activity (VPA) and step count (STEPS) and maintained overall sedentary time (ST) in the experimental group throughout the school year. Significant group × time interaction effects were detected for VPA, STEPS, and ST (F = 4.01, 4.09, and 5.34, respectively; all p < 0.05). No significant effects were found for body composition. In conclusion, the PL-based intervention allowed effective mitigation of the typical seasonal decline in activity levels observed during the school year. Further studies evaluating the effects of similar interventions on other indices of fitness status are warranted.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the imposed social distancing measures caused negative changes in physical activity levels (PALs) and physical fitness (PF) among adolescents, but the potential mediating effect of the pandemic on the association between PAL and PF is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate gender-specific associations between objectively measured PAL and indices of PF among high school adolescents during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were 150 adolescents (101 females) aged 14–18 years; their anthropometrics were evaluated, and they were tested on PF (cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF; beep test), power (broad jump), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and abdominal strength (sit-ups)) and PAL (using a pedometer for 7 days) during the pandemic period. A T-test was calculated to determine differences between genders. Associations between variables were evaluated using Pearson correlations. Additionally, multivariate taxonomic classification was used to sort participants into homogenous groups (clusters) according to their PF, and then analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to differentiate them according to PAL. For the total sample, PAL was correlated with CRF only (R = 0.25, p < 0.05), while gender-stratified correlations showed that PAL was significantly associated with CRF among girls only (R = 0.29, p < 0.05), which was additionally confirmed with multivariate cluster analysis and subsequent ANOVA. No association between PAL and PF was found for boys. The relatively low association between PAL and PF is most likely related to the mediating effect of the change in life circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, and limited applicability of pedometers in evaluating high-intensity PAL. Further studies in other age groups and environments are warranted.

Background/Objectives: Physical literacy (PL) is globally recognized as a foundational determinant of health status in children, but the effects of interventions based on PL were rarely studied in preadolescent children. The aim of this quasi-experimental, school-based study was to evaluate the potential effects of a PL intervention delivered during regular school hours on physical fitness (PF), physical literacy (PL), and physical activity (PA) in children aged 9 to 11 years from southern Croatia. Methods: Participants were 125 preadolescents (57 girls), and were grouped into a control group (C = 70), and an experimental group (E, n = 55). The E group participated in a specific PL-focused education, integrated into regular physical education (PE) lessons as a 5–6 min substitute for standard PE content, over 12 weeks (36 PE classes in total). The C group participated in the standard PE curriculum. A pre–post–retention design was used, and the observed variables included anthropometrics (height, weight, BMI), PF (jumping power, abdominal strength, upper body strength, flexibility, mobility, and cardiovascular endurance), PL (evaluated by the PLAYself questionnaire), and indirectly measured PA (estimated via the PAQ-C questionnaire). Multivariate (MANOVA and univariate (ANOVA) analyses of variance for repeated measurements were used with time, gender, and group as the main effects, including their interactions. Results: MANOVA calculated for a set of PF variables revealed significant main effects for time (F = 1361, p < 0.001) and a significant time × group interaction (F = 2.98, p < 0.05). Univariate ANOVA indicated specific intervention effects for jumping power and abdominal strength, favoring the E group. No significant differential effects were observed for PL or PA. Conclusions: The study demonstrated small, but statistically significant, improvements in PF indicators among children exposed to the PL-based intervention. Notably, the intervention was conducted in authentic school settings using standard resources, supporting the ecological validity and real-world applicability of the findings.