SPORT AS A TOOL FOR PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUNG ADULTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Sport has been recognized as a tool for promoting mental health, especially among young adults exposed to academic, social, and professional demands. This study aimed to analyze how sport has been presented in recent literature as a resource for promoting mental health in young adults, with emphasis on its effects on anxiety, depression, stress, subjective well-being, and associated psychosocial variables. This is a literature review developed from the analysis of 20 scientific studies related to physical activity, exercise, and sport. The results indicated a predominant association between greater engagement in physical practices and better mental health indicators, including reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout, as well as improvements in well-being, sleep quality, and overall health perception. Relevant psychosocial variables were also identified, such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, resilience, social support, and self-control. It is concluded that sport constitutes a relevant complementary strategy for promoting mental health in young adults, especially when practiced regularly and supported by favorable conditions for adherence and continuity.