Physical education teacher leadership and student engagement in k–12 settings: a systematic review of evidence from 2016 to 2025

Jeki Haryanto; Gemi Candra

doi:10.32698/03542

Physical education teacher leadership and student engagement in k–12 settings: a systematic review of evidence from 2016 to 2025

Jeki Haryanto⁽¹⁾, Gemi Candra⁽²⁾,
(1) Universitas Negeri Padang

Indonesia
(2) SD NEGERI 047/XI KOTO BARU

Indonesia

Corresponding Author

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32698/03542

Full Text:

Language : en

Abstract

Teacher leadership is increasingly recognised as a determinant of the quality of school physical education, yet the specific leadership forms that shape student engagement remain fragmented across theoretical traditions and study designs. This systematic literature review synthesised evidence on the forms of physical education teacher leadership and their influence on students' behavioural, emotional, and cognitive engagement. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) framework. A structured Boolean search of the Scopus database, restricted to English-language journal articles published between 2016 and 2025, identified 203 records; after the removal of 15 duplicates and sequential title, abstract, and full-text screening against predefined eligibility criteria, 17 studies were retained for synthesis. Data were analysed using thematic synthesis, and methodological quality was appraised with design-specific critical appraisal tools. Findings indicate that transformational and multidimensional leadership styles, autonomy-supportive versus controlling teaching behaviours, instructional leadership enacted through student-centred pedagogical models, and continuing professional development consistently relate to more adaptive student motivation and engagement, whereas controlling and need-thwarting behaviours undermine them. The review advances a consolidated framework linking teacher leadership forms to a multidimensional conception of engagement, offering guidance for teacher education, professional development, and school leadership. Future research should prioritise longitudinal and experimental designs, standardised engagement measures, and evidence from under-represented regions and school levels.

Keywords

Physical education, Teacher leadership, Student engagement, Motivating teaching behaviour, Student motivation.

References

Abdulrab, M., Alwaleedi, K.A.T., Al-Mamary, Y.H., Zumrah, A.R., Al-Tahitah, A.N., & Al-Mekhlafi, A.-B.A. (2025). Beyond Leadership: How Transformational Leaders Foster Organizational Citizenship and Engagement through Psychological Empowerment. Journal of Chinese Human Resources Management, 16(1), 119–145. https://doi.org/10.47297/wspchrmWSP2040-800507.20251601

Al-Sayegh, A.M.J., Al Gburi, A.H.A., & Shalakha, F.K. (2019). Evaluation of the performance of sports management according to a standard scale for teachers of physical education in najaf governorate. Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development, 10(6), 465–470. https://doi.org/10.5958/0976-5506.2019.01317.2

Alatzoglou, A., Athanailidis, I., Laios, A., & Derri, V. (2017). The managerial capacity of physical education teachers - principals: The case of Greece. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 12(3), 742–752. https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2017.123.18

Alzahrani, A.A., Gelius, P., Bauman, A.E., & Gebel, K. (2024). Physical activity policies in Saudi Arabia and Oman: a qualitative study using stakeholder interviews. Health Research Policy and Systems, 22(1), Article 111. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-024-01192-w

André, A., Tessier, D., Louvet, B., & Girard, E. (2023). Teachers’ perception of classes’ engagement, observed motivating teaching practices, and students’ motivation: A mediation analysis. Social Psychology of Education, 26(6), 1527–1542. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-023-09805-y

Aromataris, E., & Munn, Z. (Eds.). (2020). JBI manual for evidence synthesis. Joanna Briggs Institute. https://doi.org/10.46658/JBIMES-20-01

Borghouts, L., Slingerland, M., Weeldenburg, G., van Dijk-van Eijk, B., Laurijssens, S., Remmers, T., & Haerens, L. (2023). Effectiveness of a lesson study intervention on teacher behaviour and student motivation in physical education lessons. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 28(2), 121–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2021.1958175

Burnett, C. (2020). From policy to practice for school sport: Lessons from South Africa. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 20(4), 1754–1761. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2020.04238

Carrad, A., Parrish, A.-M., & Yeatman, H. (2021). Building public health capacity through organizational change in the sport system: A multiple-case study within Australian gymnastics. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(13), Article 6726. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136726

Carson, R.L., Kuhn, A.P., Moore, J.B., Castelli, D.M., Beighle, A., Hodgin, K.L., & Dauenhauer, B. (2020). Implementation evaluation of a professional development program for comprehensive school physical activity leaders. Preventive Medicine Reports, 19, Article 101109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101109

Chu, Y., Chen, C., Wang, G., & Su, F. (2022). The Effect of Education Model in Physical Education on Student Learning Behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 944507. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.944507

Craig, D.W., Lanza, K., Pfledderer, C.D., Pavlovic, A., Onadeko, K., Heredia, N.I., Injil, J., DeFina, L.F., & Walker, T.J. (2025). Using the R = MC2 heuristic to assess whole-of-school physical activity implementation in elementary schools: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity , 22(1), Article 114. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-025-01815-7

Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. (2018). CASP qualitative checklist. CASP UK. https://casp-uk.net/casp-tools-checklists/

Gil-Arias, A., Harvey, S., Cárceles, A., Práxedes, A., & Del Villar, F. (2017). Impact of a hybrid TGfU-Sport Education unit on student motivation in physical education. PLoS ONE, 12(6), Article e0179876. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179876

González-Peño, A., Franco, E., & Coterón, J. (2021). Do observed teaching behaviors relate to students’ engagement in physical education?. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052234

Ha, A.S.-C., Chan, C.H.S., & Lander, N. (2025). Critical contextual factors of sustainable online teaching: learning the lessons of pandemic times from physical education teachers’ and school administrators’ perspectives. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 30(4), 416–429. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2023.2232802

Harvey, S., Gil-Arias, A., Smith, M.L., & Smith, L.R. (2017). Middle and Elementary School Students' Changes in Self-Determined Motivation in a Basketball Unit Taught using the Tactical Games Model. Journal of Human Kinetics, 59(1), 39–53. https://doi.org/10.1515/hukin-2017-0146

Hernández, E.H., Moreno-Murcia, J.A., González, L.R., & González, J.L. (2019). Motivational profiles of high school physical education students: The role of controlling teacher behavior. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(10), Article 1714. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101714

Hong, Q. N., Fàbregues, S., Bartlett, G., Boardman, F., Cargo, M., Dagenais, P., Gagnon, M.-P., Griffiths, F., Nicolau, B., O'Cathain, A., Rousseau, M.-C., & Vedel, I. (2018). The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018 for information professionals and researchers. Education for Information, 34(4), 285–291. https://doi.org/10.3233/EFI-180221

Jiang, Z., & Jia, Z.-R. (2018). Effects of physical education teachers' leadership styles and classroom climate on learning motivation for basketball course. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 14(4), 1351–1357. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/81296

Kwon, S., Welch, S., & Mason, M. (2020). Physical education environment and student physical activity levels in low-income communities. BMC Public Health, 20(1), Article 147. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8278-8

Landis, J. R., & Koch, G. G. (1977). The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics, 33(1), 159–174. https://doi.org/10.2307/2529310

Leo, F.M., Mouratidis, A., Pulido, J.J., López-Gajardo, M.A., & Sánchez-Oliva, D. (2022). Perceived teachers’ behavior and students’ engagement in physical education: the mediating role of basic psychological needs and self-determined motivation. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 27(1), 59–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2020.1850667

Li, Y., & Yu, H. (2024). Assessment of Pedagogical Contributions toward Enhancing Physical Activity within the Secondary School Physical Education Curricula in Southwestern China. Sustainability (Switzerland) , 16(5), Article 1862. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051862

Liberati, A., Altman, D. G., Tetzlaff, J., Mulrow, C., Gøtzsche, P. C., Ioannidis, J. P. A., Clarke, M., Devereaux, P. J., Kleijnen, J., & Moher, D. (2009). The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions. PLoS Medicine, 6(7), Article e1000100. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000100

Lonsdale, C., Lester, A., Owen, K.B., White, R.L., Peralta, L., Kirwan, M., Diallo, T.M.O., Maeder, A.J., Bennie, A., Macmillan, F., Kolt, G.S., Ntoumanis, N., Gore, J.M., Cerin, E., Cliff, D.P., & Lubans, D.R. (2019). An internet-supported school physical activity intervention in low socioeconomic status communities: Results from the Activity and Motivation in Physical Education (AMPED) cluster randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(6), 341–347. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097904

Lubans, D.R., Sanders, T., Noetel, M., Parker, P., McKay, H., Morgan, P., Salmon, J., Kirwan, M., Bennie, A., Peralta, L., Cinelli, R., Moodie, M., Hartwig, T., Boyer, J., Kennedy, S.G., Plotnikoff, R.C., Hansen, V., Vasconcellos, D., Lee, J., Antczak, D., & Lonsdale, C. (2022). Scale-up of the Internet-based Professional Learning to help teachers promote Activity in Youth (iPLAY) intervention: a hybrid type 3 implementation-effectiveness trial. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 19(1), Article 141. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01371-4

Maltagliati, S., Carraro, A., Escriva-Boulley, G., Bertollo, M., Tessier, D., Colangelo, A., Papaioannou, A., di Fronso, S., Cheval, B., Gobbi, E., & Sarrazin, P. (2023). Predicting Changes in Physical Education Teachers’ Behaviors Promoting Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using an Integrated Motivational Model. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 42(1), 23–33. https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2021-0116

McLoughlin, G.M., Candal, P., Vazou, S., Lee, J.A., Dzewaltowski, D.A., Rosenkranz, R.R., Lanningham-Foster, L., Gentile, D.A., Liechty, L., Chen, S., & Welk, G.J. (2020). Evaluating the implementation of the SWITCH® school wellness intervention and capacity-building process through multiple methods. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17(1), Article 162. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-01070-y

Milton, D., Appleton, P.R., Bryant, A., & Duda, J.L. (2025). Promoting a more empowering motivational climate in physical education: a mixed-methods study on the impact of a theory-based professional development programme. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, Article 1564671. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1564671

Nguyen, T.T., Ha Nguyen, L.T., Van Trinh, C., & Duong, T.T. (2025). The role of extracurricular activities in university education: Student engagement and institutional management. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 12(8), 129–138. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.08.013

Nolte, P.L., & Roux, C.J. (2023). Judo as a tool to reinforce value-based education in the South African Primary Schools physical education and school sport programmes. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 23(1), 24–31. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2023.01003

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, Article n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Qin, L., Ho, W.K.Y., Xu, B., & Khoo, S. (2025). Developing a model of quality physical education in the Chinese context: a grounded theory investigation of secondary school physical education teachers’ perceptions. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, Article 1569222. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1569222

Robinson, D.B., Harenberg, S., Walters, W., Barrett, J., Cudmore, A., Fahie, K., & Zakaria, T. (2023). Game Changers: A participatory action research project for/with students with disabilities in school sport settings. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5, Article 1150130. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1150130

Shao, Y., & Basar, A. (2025). Educational leadership and the sustainable development of martial arts education in Chinese secondary schools: evidence from Xiaoshan, Hangzhou. Frontiers in Education, 10, Article 1647058. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1647058

Solera-Alfonso, A., Mijarra-Murillo, J.-J., Marconnot, R., García-González, M., Delfa-de-la-Morena, J.-M., Anglada-Monzón, P., & Ruiz-Barquín, R. (2025). Leadership Styles in Physical Education: A Longitudinal Study on Students’ Perceptions and Preferences. Children, 12(9), Article 1139. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12091139

Sterne, J. A. C., Hernán, M. A., Reeves, B. C., Savović, J., Berkman, N. D., Viswanathan, M., Henry, D., Altman, D. G., Ansari, M. T., Boutron, I., Carpenter, J. R., Chan, A.-W., Churchill, R., Deeks, J. J., Hróbjartsson, A., Kirkham, J., Jüni, P., Loke, Y. K., Pigott, T. D., … Higgins, J. P. T. (2016). ROBINS-I: A tool for assessing risk of bias in non-randomised studies of interventions. BMJ, 355, Article i4919. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i4919

Sterne, J. A. C., Savović, J., Page, M. J., Elbers, R. G., Blencowe, N. S., Boutron, I., Cates, C. J., Cheng, H.-Y., Corbett, M. S., Eldridge, S. M., Hernán, M. A., Hopewell, S., Hróbjartsson, A., Junqueira, D. R., Jüni, P., Kirkham, J. J., Lasserson, T., Li, T., McAleenan, A., … Higgins, J. P. T. (2019). RoB 2: A revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials. BMJ, 366, Article l4898. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l4898

Sánchez-García, C., Reigal, R.E., Hernández-Martos, J., Hernández-Mendo, A., & Morales-Sánchez, V. (2024a). Engagement in Transformational Leadership by Teachers Influences the Levels of Self-Esteem, Motor Self-Efficacy, Enjoyment, and Intention to Be Active in Physical Education Students. Sports, 12(7), Article 191. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12070191

Sánchez-García, C., Morales-Sánchez, V., Reigal, R.E., & Hernández-Mendo, A. (2024b). Relationships between Transformational Leadership of the Teacher and Optimal Experiences of Adolescents in Physical Education: A Systematic Review. Cuadernos de Psicologia del Deporte, 24(3), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.6018/cpd.623711

Thakur, T.S., Srivastava, D., & Chanda, M. (2024). Physical Education and Sports for enhancing professional life of engineering students – An initiative towards implementing National Education Policy in Engineering Education. Journal of Engineering Education Transformations, 37(Special Issue 2), 901–907. https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2024/v37is2/24138

Thomas, J., & Harden, A. (2008). Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 8, Article 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-8-45

Towsen, T., Stander, M.W., & van der Vaart, L. (2020). The Relationship Between Authentic Leadership, Psychological Empowerment, Role Clarity, and Work Engagement: Evidence From South Africa. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 1973. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01973

Tranfield, D., Denyer, D., & Smart, P. (2003). Towards a methodology for developing evidence-informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. British Journal of Management, 14(3), 207–222. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.00375

Tremblay, M.S., Costas-Bradstreet, C., Barnes, J.D., Bartlett, B., Dampier, D., Lalonde, C., Leidl, R., Longmuir, P., McKee, M., Patton, R., Way, R., & Yessis, J. (2018). Canada's Physical Literacy Consensus Statement: Process and outcome. BMC Public Health, 18, Article 1034. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5903-x

Valero-Valenzuela, A., García, D.G., Camerino, O., & Manzano, D. (2020). Hybridisation of the teaching personal and social responsibility model and gamification in physical education. Apunts. Educacion Fisica y Deportes, 63–74. https://doi.org/10.5672/APUNTS.2014-0983.ES.(2020/3).141.08

Vaquero-Cristóbal, R., Mateo-Orcajada, A., Dağlı Ekmekçi̇, Y.A., Pereira, A., Amin, S., Meroño, L., González-Gálvez, N., Ballı, Ö.M., Mendes, F., Mbah, O., Abenza-Cano, L., Leiva-Arcas, A., Doğan, Y.İ., Figueiredo, A., Ponce-Ramírez, C.M., Esparza-Ros, F., & Albaladejo-Saura, M. (2024). Gender equity in sport from the perspective of European women athletes and sport managers, physical education teachers and sport coaches. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article 1419578. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1419578

Verma, N., Eklund, R.C., Arthur, C.A., Howle, T.C., & Gibson, A.-M. (2019). Transformational teaching, self-presentation motives, and identity in adolescent female physical education. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 41(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1123/JSEP.2017-0299

Vidoni, C., & André, M. (2019). Fifth-graders’ social interactions in a student-designed games unit. Early Child Development and Care, 189(6), 1004–1017. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2017.1360875

Wang, R., & Danaa, G. (2024). Application of Diversified Teaching Strategies in University Physical Education Courses. Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences, 22(2), 8470–8486. https://doi.org/10.57239/PJLSS-2024-22.2.00639

Yenen, E., Atamturk, H., & Atamturk, N. (2023). Exploring leadership behaviors of the coaches of champion teams. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 1091703. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1091703