Student-Centered Learning in Physical Education: Comparing Frameworks and Evidence-Based Practices

Background: Physical education has long relied on teacher-led instruction built on command or reciprocal teaching styles, with most attention given to physical competence. These conventional methods favor direct instruction and the repetition of physical skills, but critics argue they often fail to engage diverse learners or build a wider sense of physical literacy and lifelong activity. Student-centered learning (SCL), grounded in constructivism, offers an alternative. By moving the focus from the teacher to the learner, SCL frameworks use physical activity to develop critical thinking, personal autonomy, and social responsibility alongside physical skill. Researchers study these shifts through a range of models, including game-based approaches, problem-based learning, and autonomy-supportive environments. This Research Topic examines how these student-centered frameworks compare, how they work in practice, and what evidence supports them in driving holistic learning outcomes in physical education.Goal: This Research Topic sets out to connect theoretical student-centered frameworks with their practical, scalable use in physical education. While there is broad agreement on the benefits of SCL, traditional teacher-led models still dominate curricula worldwide, partly because clear comparative data and proven implementation strategies are scarce. The field also needs closer study of how different SCL models perform across varied demographics and school settings.To address these gaps, this collection brings together empirical research, rigorous comparative analyses, and detailed intervention studies. We welcome submissions that test game-based, problem-based, and project-based approaches against conventional teaching methods. By examining formative assessment, autonomy-supportive climates, and the full spectrum of teaching styles, this Research Topic aims to build a practical body of evidence-based practices. The result will give educators, researchers, and policymakers the insights they need to make physical education more inclusive and holistic, and to support lifelong physical literacy.Scope: This Research Topic invites original research and theoretical contributions that evaluate and advance student-centered learning (SCL) in physical education. We welcome submissions on the following themes, among others:Comparative analyses of student-centered pedagogical models, or comparisons with traditional, teacher-led approaches.The effect of autonomy-supportive climates on diverse learners’ physical literacy, including motivation, social skills, knowledge, attitudes, and physical competence.The implementation and outcomes of project-based and inquiry-driven learning in physical education.Formative assessment strategies used specifically as assessment for learning and assessment as learning.Comparisons of distinct teaching styles across the spectrum to support holistic student development.We welcome a range of manuscript types accepted by Frontiers, including Original Research, Systematic Reviews, Brief Research Reports, Frontiers Commentary, and Case Studies. Contributions must show methodological rigor and offer clear, evidence-based practices that can inform physical education curricula, policy, and daily teaching worldwide. Topic editors: Branislav Antala, David Grecic, Dario Novak, Eve Bernstein, Erin Gerlach Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83092/student-centered-learning-in-physical-education-comparing-frameworks-and-evidence-based-practices