Interdisciplinary focus within the exercise and movement sciences, ranging from research on psychological constructs (motivation, confidence, self-efficacy), cognitive (content knowledge in healthy and active lifestyles), social (sports ethics and cultural participation) and psychomotor (health-related fitness, motor learning and development).
Multiple aspects of teaching and learning: Curriculum Development, Pedagogy, Teaching Strategies/Models and Educational Assessment.
Measurement and obtention of rigorous, reliable, and valid evidence; with a late emphasis on Item Response Theory models.
Curriculum and Assessment — UG
Approaches to Teaching and Assessment in Physical Education — UG
Analysis of the Teaching-Learning Processes — UG
Pedagogy in Physical Activities and Sports — UG
Teaching Strategies in Physical Activities and Sport — UG
Biography
João Mota is originally from Lisbon, Portugal. He has previously taught for five years at the Faculty of Human Kinetics, his alma mater. He has a Bachelor's degree in Sports Science (minor in Exercise and Health), a Master's degree in Physical Education and a PhD in Education. His research focuses on Physical Literacy, Pedagogy/Didactics of Physical Activities, Educational Assessment and Psychometrics. As part of his PhD, he led the creation and initial validation of the Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment (PPLA). He has published several articles in international peer-reviewed journals and is an active peer-reviewer. He has been involved in various international projects funded by the Erasmus+ program as a researcher-collaborator for the Centre for Education Studies and the UIDEF pole (FMH and IE-ULisboa). His sports background is in Dance, Swimming and Team Handball. When he's not working, he loves exploring the outdoors through mountaineering, hiking, and trail running. He has a strong passion for non-formal education, particularly Scouting—where he actively collaborates as a curriculum developer and adult trainer.João Mota is originally from Lisbon, Portugal. He has previously taught for five years at the Faculty of Human Kinetics, his alma mater. He has a Bachelor's degree in Sports Science (minor in Exercise and Health), a Master's degree in Physical Education and a PhD in Education. His research focuses on Physical Literacy, Pedagogy/Didactics of Physical Activities, Educational Assessment and Psychometrics. As part of his PhD, he led the creation and initial validation of the Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment (PPLA). He has published several articles in international peer-reviewed journals and is an active peer-reviewer. He has been involved in various international projects funded by the Erasmus+ program as a researcher-collaborator for the Centre for Education Studies and the UIDEF pole (FMH and IE-ULisboa). His sports background is in Dance, Swimming and Team Handball. When he's not working, he loves exploring the outdoors through mountaineering, hiking, and trail running. He has a strong passion for non-formal education, particularly Scouting—where he actively collaborates as a curriculum developer and adult trainer.Research Interests
Physical Literacy and Health and Active Lifestyles.Interdisciplinary focus within the exercise and movement sciences, ranging from research on psychological constructs (motivation, confidence, self-efficacy), cognitive (content knowledge in healthy and active lifestyles), social (sports ethics and cultural participation) and psychomotor (health-related fitness, motor learning and development).
Multiple aspects of teaching and learning: Curriculum Development, Pedagogy, Teaching Strategies/Models and Educational Assessment.
Measurement and obtention of rigorous, reliable, and valid evidence; with a late emphasis on Item Response Theory models.
Publications
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | 'Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment for Adolescents (15-18 years) from grades 10-12: validation using confirmatory factor analysis and confirmatory composite analysis' Mota, João; Martins, João; Onofre, Marcos; Dudley, Dean (2023) 'Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment for Adolescents (15-18 years) from grades 10-12: validation using confirmatory factor analysis and confirmatory composite analysis'. Frontiers In Sports And Active Living, 5 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment Questionnaire (PPLA-Q) for Adolescents: Validity and Reliability of the Psychological and Social Modules using Mokken Scale Analysis' Mota J;Martins J;Onofre M; (2023) 'Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment Questionnaire (PPLA-Q) for Adolescents: Validity and Reliability of the Psychological and Social Modules using Mokken Scale Analysis'. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 130 (3) [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment-Observation (PPLA-O) for adolescents (15-18 years) from grades 10-12: Development and initial validation through item response theory' Mota, J;Martins, J;Onofre, M (2022) 'Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment-Observation (PPLA-O) for adolescents (15-18 years) from grades 10-12: Development and initial validation through item response theory'. Frontiers In Sports And Active Living, 4 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Correlates of Motor Competence in Primary School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study within a Portuguese Municipality’s Health Promotion Intervention' Carvalho, F., Onofre, M., Mota, J., Peralta, M., Marques, A., Quitério, A., Rodrigues, A., Alves, P., O'Brien, W. & Martins, J. (2023) 'Correlates of Motor Competence in Primary School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study within a Portuguese Municipality’s Health Promotion Intervention'. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, [Details] | |
| (2021) | 'Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment Questionnaire (PPLA-Q) for adolescents (15-18¿years) from grades 10-12: development, content validation and pilot testing' Mota J;Martins J;Onofre M; (2021) 'Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment Questionnaire (PPLA-Q) for adolescents (15-18¿years) from grades 10-12: development, content validation and pilot testing'. BMC Public Health, 21 (1) [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2021) | 'International approaches to the definition, philosophical tenets, and core elements of physical literacy: A scoping review' Martins J.;Onofre M.;Mota J.;Murphy C.;Repond R.M.;Vost H.;Cremosini B.;Svrdlim A.;Markovic M.;Dudley D. (2021) 'International approaches to the definition, philosophical tenets, and core elements of physical literacy: A scoping review'. Prospects, 50 (1-2):13-30 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'MOBAK 1 Assessment in Primary Physical Education: Exploring Basic Motor Competences of Portuguese 6-Year-Olds' Ana Quitério, João Martins, Marcos Onofre, João Costa, João Mota Rodrigues, Erin Gerlach, Claude Scheur, Christian Herrmann (2018) 'MOBAK 1 Assessment in Primary Physical Education: Exploring Basic Motor Competences of Portuguese 6-Year-Olds'. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 125 (6):1055-1069 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'MOBAK 1 Assessment in Primary Physical Education: Exploring Basic Motor Competences of Portuguese 6-Year-Olds' Quitério A.;Martins J.;Onofre M.;Costa J.;Mota Rodrigues J.;Gerlach E.;Scheur C.;Herrmann C. (2018) 'MOBAK 1 Assessment in Primary Physical Education: Exploring Basic Motor Competences of Portuguese 6-Year-Olds'. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 125 (6):1055-1069 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2015) | 'Atividade Física e Rendimento Académico -Uma Revisão Sistemática de Sete Revisões Sistemáticas [Physical Activity and Academic Perfomance – A Systematic Review of Seven Systematic Reviews]' Mota, J., Picado, A., Assunção, T., Alvito, A., Gomes, F., & Marques, A. (2015) 'Atividade Física e Rendimento Académico -Uma Revisão Sistemática de Sete Revisões Sistemáticas [Physical Activity and Academic Perfomance – A Systematic Review of Seven Systematic Reviews]'. [Details] |
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | 'Literacia Física: Conceito [Physical Literacy: the Concept]' Mota, João; Martins, João; Onofre, Marcos (2022) 'Literacia Física: Conceito [Physical Literacy: the Concept]' In: Escola Ativa e Literacia Física para a Vida: Um guia prático para o contexto do 1o ciclo de escolaridade [Active Schools and Physical Literacy for Life: a practical guide for the primary cycle]. Sintra: Câmara Municipal de Sintra. [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Alfabetización física en Portugal: caminos pedagógicos y científicos [Physical Literacy in Portugal: Pedagogical and Scientific Pathways]' Martins, João;Onofre, Marcos; Mota, João; Carolo, Dora; Marques, Adilson (2022) 'Alfabetización física en Portugal: caminos pedagógicos y científicos [Physical Literacy in Portugal: Pedagogical and Scientific Pathways]' In: Actualidades En Educatión Física Y Deporte 2022: Maestría en Educación Física y Deporte. Guadalajara, Mexico: Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud. [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'MOBAK: Avaliação, validade, fiabilidade e a utilização da plataforma digital [MOBAK: Assessment, validity and reliability, and the use of the digital platform]' Martins, João; Mota, João; Onofre, Marcos; Quitério, Ana (2022) 'MOBAK: Avaliação, validade, fiabilidade e a utilização da plataforma digital [MOBAK: Assessment, validity and reliability, and the use of the digital platform]' In: Escola Ativa e Literacia Física para a Vida: Um guia prático para o contexto do 1o ciclo de escolaridade [Active Schools and Physical Literacy for Life: a practical guide for the primary cycle]. Sintra: Câmara Municipal de Sintra. [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Sintra Cresce Saudável: Promoção da competência motora, atividade física e literacia física para a vida [Sintra Grows Healthy: Promotion of motor competence, physical activity and physical literacy for life]' Martins, João;Onofre, Marcos; Rodrigues, António; Marques, Adilson; Martins, Maria; Carvalho, Francisco; Peralta, Miguel; Mota, João: Alves, Pedro; Quitério, Ana (2022) 'Sintra Cresce Saudável: Promoção da competência motora, atividade física e literacia física para a vida [Sintra Grows Healthy: Promotion of motor competence, physical activity and physical literacy for life]' In: Escola Ativa e Literacia Física para a Vida: Um guia prático para o contexto do 1o ciclo de escolaridade[Active Schools and Physical Literacy for Life: a practical guide for the primary cycle]. Sintra: Câmara Municipal de Sintra. [Details] |
Other Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | 'S2-3 Physical literacy in Portugal: assessment and intervention developments' Martins, J., Carolo, D., Mota, J. & Onofre, M. (2023) 'S2-3 Physical literacy in Portugal: assessment and intervention developments' European Journal of Public Health, . [DOI] [Details] |
Conference Publications
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | CIEAE 2022 - International Congress on Engagement of Students in School: Social and Psychological Perspectives Martins, João; Mota, João; Onofre, Marcos (2022) A Literacia Física e a Escola, em Portugal: Percurso pedagógico e científico [Physical Literacy and School in Portugal: Pedagogical and Scientific Perspectives] CIEAE 2022 - International Congress on Engagement of Students in School: Social and Psychological Perspectives Cuenca, Spain, [Details] | |
| (2021) | AIESEP 2021 Mota, João; Martins, João; Onofre, Marcos (2021) Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment Questionnaire (PPLA-Q): Development, content validation and pilot testing AIESEP 2021 University of Alberta, McGill University, Canada, [Details] | |
| (2021) | 9º Congresso da Sociedade Científica de Pedagogia do Desporto - Inovação e Tecnologia do Desporto Carvalho, Francisco; Onofre, Marcos; Quitério, Ana; Mota, João; Alves, Pedro; Martins, João (2021) Sintra Cresce Saudável: Formação contínua de professores do 1.o Ciclo do Ensino Básico e a inovação digital em Educação Física para a avaliação das competências [Sintra Grows Healthy: In-service training of primary school teachers and digital innovation in Physical Education for the assessment of competencies] 9º Congresso da Sociedade Científica de Pedagogia do Desporto - Inovação e Tecnologia do Desporto Escola Superior de Educação e Ciências Sociais, Politécnico de Leiria, [Details] | |
| (2021) | AIESEP 2021 Carvalho, Francisco; Onofre, Marcos; Mota, João; Rodrigues, António; Marques, Adilson; Quitério, Ana; Martins, João (2021) The factors associated with motor competence in primary school students: A cross-sectional study within the context of the Sintra Grows Healthy program AIESEP 2021 University of Alberta, McGill University, Canada, [Details] | |
| (2019) | AIESEP 2019 Martins, João; Onofre, Marcos; Mota, João; Murphy, Chris; Repond, Rose-Marie; Vost, Helen; Cremonesi, Bruno; Svrdlin, Andjelko; Markovic, Mojca (2019) A review of different international approaches to the definition and core elements of physical literacy AIESEP 2019 New York, [Details] | |
| (2018) | 12th FIEP European Congress Gerlach, Erin; Herrmann, Christian; Dania, Apasia; Heim, Christopher; Jidovtseff, Boris; Quitério, Ana; Vrbas, Jaroslav; Kossyva, Irene; Adamakis, Manolis; Zounhia, Katerina; Seelig, Harald; Ennigkeit, Fabienne;Vandeloise, Vérane; Morgado, Liliane; Mornard, Manhattan; Cloes, Marc; Costa, João; Martins, João; Marcos, Onofre; Fernandes, David; André Picado; Mota, João; Vlcek, Petr; Scheur, Claude (2018) Changes in Childhood and adolescence: Current Challenges for Physical Education 12th FIEP European Congress Luxembourg, [Details] | |
| (2017) | 12th FIEP European Congress Quitério, Ana; Mota, João; Martins, João; Onofre, Marcos; Fernandes, David; Picado, André; Gerlach, Erin; Scheuer, C; Herrman, C (2017) Exploring basic motor comptences in six-year old Portuguese children . In: Bund, A and Scheuer, C eds. 12th FIEP European Congress Berlin: Logos Verlag Berlin, , pp.34-35 [Details] | |
| (2016) | AIESEP International Conference Onofre, Marcos; Quitério, Ana; Costa, João; Picado, André; Fernandes, David; Mota, João; ...; Martins, João (2016) Basic Motor Competencies in Primary School and Academic Achievement: Results from the MOBAK Study – A Pilot Study with 1st Year Portuguese Pupils AIESEP International Conference [Details] |
Unpublished work
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment Questionnaire (PPLA-Q) for adolescents (15-18 years) from grades 10-12: Item response theory analysis of the content knowledge questionnaire. Mota, João; Martins, João; Onofre, Marcos (2022) Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment Questionnaire (PPLA-Q) for adolescents (15-18 years) from grades 10-12: Item response theory analysis of the content knowledge questionnaire. Unpublished work [DOI] [Details] |
Fact Sheet
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2019) | Physical Literacy: A key competence for lifelong learning! The Erasmus +Sport project sum up. Martins, João; Onofre, Marcos; Repond, Rose-Marie; Mota, João; Murphy, Chris; Vost, Helen; Cremosini, Bruno; Svrdlin, Andjelko (2019) Physical Literacy: A key competence for lifelong learning! The Erasmus +Sport project sum up. Fact Sheet [Details] |
Edited Conference Proceedings
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2017) | Assessment in primary physical Education: Exploring the basic motor competencies in six-year old Portuguese children. Ana Quitério, João Costa, João Martins, David Fernandes, João Mota, Erin Gerlach, Claude Scheuer, Christian Heerman (2017) Assessment in primary physical Education: Exploring the basic motor competencies in six-year old Portuguese children. Berlin: Edited Conference Proceedings [Details] |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
| Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | CACSSS 2022 Research Support | UCC CACSSS |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portuguese Society of Physical Education (SPEF) | Member - Physical Education, and Health and Exercise Colleges | 15-SEP-22 / |
Conference Contributions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | Health-Enhancing Physical Activity 2023, Martins, J., Carolo, D., Mota, J. & Onofre, M. (2023) S2-3 Physical literacy in Portugal: assessment and intervention developments. [Oral Presentation], Health-Enhancing Physical Activity 2023, Leuven, Belgium . [Details] | |
| (2022) | 33rd EUPEA Forum, Mota, João (2022) Physical Literacy Assessment: Experience from Portugal. [Invited Oral Presentation], 33rd EUPEA Forum, Portugal . [Details] | |
| (2022) | Europe in Action - Play & Physical Literacy - ŠPORTNA UNIJA SLOVENIJE, Mota, João (2022) Physical Literacy Assessment in Schools. [Invited Oral Presentation], Europe in Action - Play & Physical Literacy - ŠPORTNA UNIJA SLOVENIJE, Slovenia . [Details] | |
| (2022) | Faculty of Human Kinetics Career Forum, Mota, João (2022) Ser Professor de Educação Física: Perspetivas sobre a sua Profissão, Formação e Investigação’ [Being a Physical Education Teacher: Perspectives on its profession, training and research]. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Faculty of Human Kinetics Career Forum, Portugal . [Details] | |
| (2022) | International Symposium on Physical Literacy and Sustainability, Mota, João (2022) Physical Literacy Assessment in Schools. [Invited Oral Presentation], International Symposium on Physical Literacy and Sustainability, Portugal . [Details] | |
| (2021) | Erasmus+ Multiplier Event. University of Lisbon, Faculty of Human Kinetics, Mota, João (2021) Physical Literacy Self-Assessment’. [Invited Oral Presentation], Erasmus+ Multiplier Event. University of Lisbon, Faculty of Human Kinetics, Portugal . [Details] |
Committees
| Committee | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCC School of Education Digital Communications | Member | 2022 / | |
| UCC School of Education Learning and Teaching | Member | 2022 / |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Human Kinetics | Invited Assistant Lecturer | 01-SEP-17 / 31-JUL-22 | |
| University College Cork | Full-Time Lecturer | 05-OCT-22 / |
Education
| Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Faculty of Human Kinetics | Bachelor of Sport Sciences (BSc) | Sport Sciences | |
| 2016 | Faculty of Human Kinetics | Master of Science in Physical Education (MScEd) | Teaching Physical Education | |
| 2022 | Faculty of Human Kinetics | Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) | Education |
Languages
| Language | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portuguese | Fluent | Fluent | Fluent | |
| French | Basic | Basic | Basic | |
| Spanish | Functional | Functional | Functional | |
| English | Fluent | Fluent | Fluent |
Journal Activities
| Journal | Role | To / From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bmc Public Health | Peer Reviewer | - | |
| Frontiers In Sports And Active Living | Peer Reviewer | - | |
| Retos | Peer Reviewer | - |
Teaching Activities
Teaching Interests
Curriculum-Based Physical Activities (I-V) — UGCurriculum and Assessment — UG
Approaches to Teaching and Assessment in Physical Education — UG
Analysis of the Teaching-Learning Processes — UG
Pedagogy in Physical Activities and Sports — UG
Teaching Strategies in Physical Activities and Sport — UG
Research Information
External Collaborators
| Name | Organisation / Institute | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| João Martins | Faculty of Human Kinetics | PORTUGAL | |
| Dean Dudley | Macquarie University | AUSTRALIA | |
| Marcos Onofre | Faculty of Human Kinetics | PORTUGAL |