Physical Education in the Primary School

Markel Rico‑González is Assistant Professor in the Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression at the University of the Basque Country (EHU), Spain. He is the author of more than 120 scientific articles in journals and more than 25 book chapters. He is also the co‑editor of the book The Use of Applied Technology in Team Sport (2021), the editor of the book Physical Education in Early Childhood: Movement and Development from 3 to 6 Years (2025), and the co‑editor of the book Measurement of Physical Activity in Physical Education Through Technology (2026).Nagore Martinez‑Merino is Lecturer in the Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic, and Corporal Expression at the University of the Basque Country (EHU), Spain. She is a member of the GIKAFIT research group (Gizartea‑Gizartea, Kirola eta Ariketa Fisikoa Ikerkuntza Taldea/Research Group on Society, Sport and Physical Activity) and the LGTBIQ+ Physical Education and Sport Research Network. Her research interests span qualitative research, transformative education, school sport, gender perspective, inclusion, and the experiences associated with physical activity in vulnerable populations.

• PART 1Introduction 11 What Is Physical Education?PART 2Movement and Development 2 Developing Motor Competence through Physical Education 3 Developing Physical Fitness 4 Physical Literacy in Primary Education: From Foundations to Lifelong Participation 5 Developing Cognitive Competence through Physical Education6 Developing Social Competence through Physical Education7 Developing Emotional Competence through Physical Education8 Preventing Bullying in Physical Education 9 Physical Education in Nature 10 Model‑Based Practice and Active Breaks in Primary Physical Education11 Practical Aspects for Preparing Effective Lessons in Primary Physical EducationPART 3Physical Education and Care12 Physical Activity Guidelines13 Food and Nutrition Education in Primary Schools 14 Mental Health and Physical Education PART 4Special Educational Needs 15 Inclusive Physical Education for Children with Special Educational Needs 16 Designing Inclusive Playgrounds for Schoolchildren in Physical Education PART 5Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals 17 Physical Education and Sustainability in Primary Education: A Pedagogical Framework for Childhood PART 6Technology and Artificial Intelligence18 Physical Activity Monitoring in Physical Education19 Artificial Intelligence in Physical Education