The Role of Sport in Promoting Mental Health Among Adolescents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2026.3.07Keywords:
adolescent, mental health, sport, physical activity, health promotionAbstract
Objective. Adolescence, a critical transitional phase of life, is characterised by biological, psychological, and social changes that may increase vulnerability to mental health problems. This review aims to provide an integrative synthesis of the role of sport and physical activity in promoting mental health among adolescents, with a specific focus on biological, psychological, and social mechanisms.
Materials and Methods. A narrative review was conducted using studies retrieved from major scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Relevant articles were selected based on their focus on adolescents (aged 10–24 years), physical activity or sport participation, and mental health outcomes. The evidence was analysed using a thematic approach to identify patterns, relationships, and inconsistencies across studies.
Results. The review identified four main domains: neurobiological, psychological, social, and contextual. Overall, the evidence indicates that physical activity contributes to adolescent mental health through multiple interconnected pathways, including neurobiological mechanisms (e.g., regulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine), psychological mechanisms (e.g., improved self-esteem), and social mechanisms (e.g., peer interaction). However, the magnitude and direction of these effects appear to be strongly moderated by contextual and environmental factors.
Conclusions. Sport represents a multidimensional factor in promoting mental health during adolescence. Its effects should be interpreted within an integrated framework in which biological, psychological, and social mechanisms interact dynamically. Rather than being universally beneficial, sport participation may produce both positive and negative outcomes depending on the quality of the environment and the level of competitiveness. Future research should focus on clarifying causal pathways and contextual moderators, as well as on developing context-sensitive and mechanism-informed interventions.
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