Philosophical inquiry in physical education and sport pedagogy: A multidimensional review of its traditions, practices, and prospects

Purpose Philosophical inquiries into physical education and sport pedagogy(PESP) have not been active until lately. A renewed interested has grown as scholars in UK and European countries have begun philosophical analysis since 2000. This study purports to review the philosophical studies in PESP during the last 50 years, and to forecast the future of SP in Korea based on its strength and weakness. Methods Literature review is adopted as the main method, as the philosophical study requires the conceptual analysis on the ideas. The past research, current main studies and future prospects are analyzed according to the three layers of the professional, the theoretical, and the personal dimensions. Results First, in the professional dimension, the philosophical inquiry by the SP philosophers and the educational inquiry by the sport philosophers are identified. Second, in the theoretical dimension, the exploration on the nature of research in PESP, the suggestions of PE models, the examination of teaching-learning in PE, the promotion of teacher/coach education and professional development, and the analysis of PE curriculum issues and policies are actively produced. Third, in the personal dimension, the practitioner research by PE teacher/professor/coach and the self-study of sport coaches have are begun to be conducted. Conclusions For the prospect of PESP in Korea, it can be said that study in the first dimension would not be bright, where as those of the second and the third would be very good for the near future.