Physical Education and the gifted: A qualitative exploration of educator perspectives

Physical Education (PE) is being increasingly recognized for its potential to enhance holistic student development. However, literature currently exhibits a notable gap concerning how PE educators perceive and address the unique needs of gifted students. A qualitative approach was employed to capture the perspectives, experiences, and practices of 119 educators in relation to their gifted students. Findings showed a spectrum of perceptions, organized into four categories: perception of giftedness, PE importance, need of training and specialization on giftedness, and comparison between PE and other disciplines. The insights drawn spotlight the imperative for targeted pedagogical strategies and training modules, ensuring that the potential of PE in fostering the cognitive, emotional, and social facets of gifted students is harnessed.