Flow in youth sport, physical activity, and physical education: A systematic review

Flow in sport, physical activity, and education can have widespread benefits for youth participants. The aim of this study was to systematically review, synthesise, appraise literature on flow education. More specifically, the review explored the: methods used flow; conceptualisation antecedents associated with interventions mechanisms facilitate states; outcomes flow. Electronic database manual searches September 2020 yielded 2,292 potential papers. Overall, 39 studies 17,123 youths published over 36 years (1984–2020) satisfied eligibility criteria were included review. As first systematic activity contexts specifically youth-aged participants, synthesis identified several issues measurement While evidence has accumulated education, reliance cross-sectional designs prevents inference causality. Interventions designed more frequent or intense experiences been relatively unsuccessful, thus suggesting that further research is required explain occurrence develop reliably induce states youths. highlights a need higher quality make meaningful progress understanding experience Recommendations future could help advance include: experimental studies; evidence-based interventions; qualitative methods, such as event-focused interviews.