Physical exercise and mental health: a systematic review of its benefits in educational, clinical, and community contexts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v71.116224Keywords:
psychological well-being, physical culture, physical exercise, program management, mental healthAbstract
Introduction: the increasing scientific evidence on the relationship between physical activity and mental health has contributed to the development of interdisciplinary programs implemented in educational, clinical and community settings.
Objective: to analyze the benefits of physical exercise on mental health with variables such as anxiety, depression, stress, emotional well-being, sleep quality and cognitive functions, in different populations.
Methodology: a systematic review was conducted based on 21 studies published between 2018 and 2024, sourced from databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Dialnet, SciELO, and Redalyc. Articles in Spanish and English that evaluated physical-mental interventions with outcomes related to psychological well-being were included.
Results: the studies were classified according to the application context (educational, clinical or community), the intended population (childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age) and the psychological variables addressed in this study. All studies reported positive effects, especially the decrease of depressive symptoms, and the increase in subjective wellbeing and cognitive improvements, particularly in the school and adult populations.
Discussion: evidence supports physical exercise as an effective strategy to promote mental health. Programs with the highest impact have shared appropriate methodological planning, interdisciplinary support and sociocultural adaptation. A growing trend towards integral models combining exercise, recreation and psychoeducational support was observed.
Conclusions: physical exercise managed from physical culture, represents a useful non-pharmacological tool to address mental health, which can be integrated with efficacy into public policies in educational, health and community sectors.
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