Adolescent activity and wellbeing findings depend on the activity and outcome
A mixed-methods review found differing patterns across leisure activities, while participants’ accounts highlighted social connections and other contextual factors.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
This abstract-based review suggests that links between leisure-time physical activity and positive mental health in adolescents depend on the activity and the aspect of wellbeing measured. Participants’ accounts also point to social and contextual influences. The available summary does not establish a universally best activity or show that all activities improve wellbeing equally.
Few studies addressed each combination of activity type, mental health outcome and study design. The abstract provides no activity-specific effect estimates, limiting assessment of the size, consistency or practical importance of particular findings.
What participants’ accounts added
Social factors featured across activity types, while skill development, settings and emotional experiences appeared in different combinations. These were perceived facilitators from qualitative studies, offering possible explanations rather than tests of a proven mechanism.
What the pooled results leave open
The abstract says results differed by activity and wellbeing measure, but it does not give activity-specific estimates or identify which outcomes changed. It therefore cannot support a reliable ranking of leisure activities.
The original publication
The effects of different types of leisure-time physical activity on positive mental health among adolescents: a mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis.
Lenze L, Benzing V, Schmid J et al.
Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41057825
- Record checked
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