Revisión bibliográfica sobre los beneficios psicológicos de la actividad física en adolescentes

Abstract

Physical activity during adolescence is essential for overall development, offering benefits to physical, mental, and social health. According to the World Health Organization, most adolescents do not meet the minimum recommended levels of physical activity, which contributes to an increase in sedentary behavior and the prevalence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions. Therefore, the following objective was proposed: to analyze the psychological benefits of physical activity in adolescents through a literature review, with the aim of understanding how physical activity influences emotional well-being, self-esteem, stress management, and social development. This review covers literature published between 2015 and 2025, with a focus on qualitative and descriptive studies that investigate the impact of physical activity on adolescents' mental health. Overall, the results indicate that staying active has a positive impact, with the number of adolescents participating in this investigation varying significantly. Among the consensus regarding the psychological benefits of physical activity in adolescents, although with the methodological approach and interventions, the systematic practice of physical exercise is also associated with improvements in academic performance and cognitive functions. It enables them to control their emotions better, where the motivations behind this sports participation are diverse, ranging from the search for distraction and entertainment to a conscious interest in preserving and improving physical and mental health. Keywords: psychological benefits, physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, adolescents