Maureen R. Weiss, PhD, Professor in the School of Kinesiology, has published two peer-reviewed articles on social psychological approaches to youth sport and physical activity participation. The first article, “Youth sport motivation and participation: Paradigms, perspectives, and practicalities,” is published in a special issue of Kinesiology Review commemorating the 40-year anniversary of the Michigan State University (MSU) Institute for the Study of Youth Sports. Weiss, who attained her PhD from MSU and held a research assistantship in the Institute, provides an overview of how youth sport motivation research has evolved over the past 40 years. She covers important theoretical advances, evidence-based best practices, and ideas for expanding knowledge and reach in the next 40 years.

The second article, “Motor skill development and youth physical activity: A social psychological perspective,” is published in the Journal of Motor Learning and Development, and is based on the keynote lecture Weiss gave at the International Motor Development Research Consortium conference in Verona, Italy. Weiss’ essay explores the benefits of integrating scientific knowledge from motor development and sport psychology to inform research and professional practice. Weiss expands on how researchers can collaborate to address critical issues on youth physical activity, such as applying social psychological theory to guide research questions, using more longitudinal designs and a variety of mixed methods, designing studies on physical literacy, and employing a positive youth development approach for improving motor and social-emotional skills. Such efforts can assist teachers, coaches, and parents in creating opportunities for youth to learn and improve fundamental motor and sport skills and to achieve feelings of competence, autonomy, relatedness, and joy for motivating a lifetime of physical activity.