Dear Colleagues,

Physical activity (PA), beyond its recognized value in improving lifestyles, is a natural context to enhance physical and mental health throughout life spans. This is largely documented by research demonstrating how structured and regular PA favors cognitive development, especially executive functions, as well as motivational/emotional development, including self-esteem and self-efficacy. In the past, sport psychology literature produced large studies on motivation as the main subject of interest. Recently, a growing body of studies have been produced by other psychological research areas. Specifically, we assume the perspective of the Psychology of Development and Education Applied to Physical Exercise in order to underlie the physical and motor benefits in the human cognitive and motivational growth. PA characteristics contribute to enhancing high-level cognitive processes (inhibition, shifting, working memory, and planning) and social inclusion in typical populations. Moreover, exercise intervention trainings in atypical populations, such as neurodevelopmental disorders, have been revealed to be efficacious to increase specific cognitive and motivational skills. Nevertheless, sport context characteristics test and train perseverance, effort, and self-determination from a younger age.

To sum up, this Special Issue aims to show several psychological advantages of motor proficiency at a developmental age and in different educational contexts (school, competitive sports, etc.) with regard to typical and atypical populations.

Prof. Dr. Marianna Alesi
Guest Editor

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• Motor skills
• Exercise intervention programs
• Sport
• Cognitive development
• Motivation
• Neurodevelopment Disorders