Launch of MYPASS: National Study Monitoring Sport and Physical Activity of 10-11 Year Olds

The Institute for Physical Education and Sport at the University of Malta, in collaboration with the Directorate Curriculum within the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, is launching MYPASS – the Maltese Young People Physical Activity & Sport Participation Study Primary 2025. This study will involve all children attending Year 6 in Maltese schools and will be conducted during the week of 27-31 October, 2025.

MYPASS aims to monitor lifestyle habits, physical activity and sport participation, sedentary behaviours, and sleep patterns. It will also examine attitudes towards participation in sport and physical activity, perceived barriers and facilitators, enjoyment, social support related to sport and physical activity, and perceived physical competency in fundamental motor skills among young children.

Prof. Andrew Decelis, leading the study, emphasised the importance of participation in providing vital data to develop evidence-based strategies to increase sport and physical activity levels in Maltese youth. “Collecting comprehensive data is crucial to designing targeted interventions that promote lifelong healthy habits and active lifestyles,” he stated.

Mr. Jude Zammit, Director General of the Directorate Curriculum, highlighted that this initiative aligns closely with the Directorate’s commitment to increasing participation in sport and physical activity, alongside expanding the number of physical education lessons in schools. He also emphasised that “we continuously monitor children's physical activity and health levels,” underlining the importance of data-driven approaches to foster healthier, more active young generations.

This national study represents a significant step towards improving understanding of young people's physical activity behaviours and shaping future policies for enhanced health and wellbeing.

For more information, please contact Prof. Andrew Decelis via email. 

[MT]

Tnedija ta’ MYPASS: Studju Nazzjonali li Jissorvelja l-Isport u l-Attività Fiżika ta’ tfal ta’ 10-11-il sena - Malta, 22 t’Ottubru 2025

L-Istitut tal-Edukazzjoni Fiżika u l-Isport fl-Università ta’ Malta, f’kollaborazzjoni mad-Direttorat tal-Kurrikulu fi ħdan il-Ministeru tal-Edukazzjoni, l-Isport, iż-Żgħażagħ, ir-Riċerka u l-Innovazzjoni, qed iniedi MYPASS – il-Maltese Young People Physical Activity & Sport Participation Study Primary 2025. Dan l-istudju se jinvolvi lit-tfal kollha li jattendu s-6 sena fl-iskejjel Maltin u se jsir matul il-ġimgħa mis-27 sal-31 ta' Ottubru, 2025.

L-għan ta’ MYPASS huwa li jistudja l-istil tal-ħajja, il-parteċipazzjoni fl-attività fiżika u fl-isport, l-imġibiet sedentarji u l-mudelli ta’ rqad fost it-tfal. Se jeżamina wkoll b’mod speċifiku l-attitudni lejn il-parteċipazzjoni fl-isport u l-attività fiżika, xi jfixkel u jiffaċilita l-parteċipazzjoni, l-appoġġ soċjali relatat mal-isport u l-attività fiżika, u l-kompetenza fiżika perċepita fil-ħiliet fundamentali tal-moviment.

Il-Professur Andrew Decelis, li qed imexxi l-istudju, enfasizza l-importanza tal-parteċipazzjoni biex jinkisbu dejta essenzjali għall-iżvilupp ta’ strateġiji bbażati fuq l-evidenza sabiex jiżdiedu l-livelli ta’ sport u attività fiżika fost iż-żgħażagħ Maltin. Huwa sostna li: “Il-ġbir ta’ dejta komprensiva huwa kruċjali biex jiġu mfassla interventi mmirati li jippromwovu drawwiet b’saħħithom tul il-ħajja u stili ta’ ħajja attivi.”

Is-Sur Jude Zammit, Direttur Ġenerali tad-Direttorat tal-Kurrikulu, tenna li din l-inizjattiva taqbel sew mal-impenn tad-Direttorat biex tiżdied il-parteċipazzjoni fl-isport u l-attività fiżika, flimkien maż-żieda fin-numru ta’ lezzjonijiet ta’ edukazzjoni fiżika fl-iskejjel. Huwa enfasizza wkoll li: “aħna kontinwament insegwu l-livelli ta’ attività fiżika u saħħa tat-tfal”, u tenna l-importanza ta’ approċċi mmexxija mid-dejta biex jiġu mrawma ġenerazzjonijiet iżgħar aktar b’saħħithom u aktar attivi.

Dan l-istudju nazzjonali jirrappreżenta pass sinifikanti lejn fehim aħjar tal-imġieba tat-tfal fir-rigward tal-attività fiżika u l-iffurmar ta’ politiki futuri biex jitjiebu s-saħħa u l-benesseri.

Għal aktar informazzjoni, jekk jogħġbok ikkuntattja lil Prof. Andrew Decelis billi tibgħatlu email.