Physical Activity Interventions for Mental Health Among Youth in South Africa: Scoping Review

Mental health challenges are on the rise among young people in South Africa. These conditions are driven by widespread poverty, social stigma, and limited access to adequate healthcare services. A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR framework. Three electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar) were systematically searched for studies published between 2014 and 2025. Eligible studies included those involving youth (14-35 years) in rural South Africa, focusing on physical activity interventions that target mental health outcomes. A total of 42,384 records were identified, of which 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings consistently demonstrated that physical activity was associated with reduced depression, anxiety, and behavioural problems, and improved prosocial behaviours and resilience. Context-specific initiatives, such as the Nyakaza–Move-for-Health program, have demonstrated that culturally tailored, school- and community-based interventions can enhance engagement and acceptability. Physical activity holds substantial potential as a scalable, accessible strategy to address the rural youth mental health burden in South Africa. Strengthening evidence through rigorous intervention trials, community-driven models, and integration into schools and health services is urgently needed. National policy alignment across the health, education, and sports sectors will be critical to ensuring sustainability and equity.