LISPA Model

The Lifelong Involvement in Sport & Physical Activity (LISPA) model illustrates how physical literacy is the foundation for lifelong involvement in physical activity.  

According to this framework, if young children develop physical literacy through the first 3 phases

• Active Start
•  FUNdamentals
• Learning to Play & Practice

they have more opportunities for continued involvement in physical activity as they can choose to follow any of the available pathways

• choose to stay involved at recreational level through Active Living and/or Active Recreation
• specialise in sport by participating in Organised Sport
•  progress to High Performance level as an elite athlete

Physical literacy is important because it increases the likelihood of lifelong involvement in physical activity which improves long-term health and well being by prolonging life and improving the quality of life.

The consequence of under-developing physical literacy on the other hand is withdrawal from physical activity leading to an inactive and unhealthy lifestyle.