The nature and culture of physical activity play: Towards a biocultural model of play, practice, and teaching in sports

Play behavior continues to fascinate researchers from various fields. This has led to several domain-specific bodies of literature with limited cross-disciplinary integration. The goal of the present review was to integrate evolutionary literature on physical activity play with literature from sport science and pedagogy as these fields can mutually benefit from one another. The resulting literature synthesis showed that the evolutionary theorizing on the functions of physical activity play (physical and social skill training, training-for-the-unexpected, and fostering domain-specific creativity and innovation) proved helpful in explaining how diversified play experiences at an early age contribute to positive development and success in sports. Further, the review of sports data provided unique support for the developmental scaffolding theory that the innate motivation of seeking pleasure in physical activity play coincidentally leads to the acquisition of physical skills and enhanced domain-specific creativity. The cross-disciplinary literature review resulted in a novel biocultural model of skill acquisition and teaching with practical applications in sports and physical education. Potential avenues for further cross-disciplinary basic and applied research are discussed.