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. 2025 Jun 10:13:1595087.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1595087. eCollection 2025.

The effects of physical activity on self-esteem in older adults: a systematic review

Stefan Mijalković  1 , Stefan Stojanović  1 , Ana Lilić  1 , Tamara Ilić  1 , İsmail İlbak  2 , Krzysztof Kasicki  3 , Patryk Niewczas-Czarny  4 , Tadeusz Ambroży  5 , Łukasz Rydzik  5
Affiliations

The effects of physical activity on self-esteem in older adults: a systematic review

Stefan Mijalković et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of physical activity on self-esteem levels in older adults.

Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched using the following terms (in English): (physical activity OR physical exercise OR training) AND (self-esteem OR self-confidence OR self-respect) AND (male OR female) AND older adults.

Results: Out of 3,732 identified publications, after removing duplicates and initial screening, 17 studies were ultimately included in the analysis (total of 1,820 participants). All included studies showed a statistically significant positive relationship between regular physical activity and higher self-esteem in older adults. Particularly beneficial effects were observed for aerobic training (e.g., walking, jogging, cycling), yoga sessions, and exercises targeting strength, endurance, and coordination development.

Conclusion: Regular participation in activities such as walking, yoga, and moderate-intensity exercises positively influences self-esteem in older adults, making physical activity an important factor for psychological well-being in later life.

Systematic review registration: The systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database and is available under the ID number: CRD420251011376, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251011376.

Keywords: aging; exercise; physical activity; self-esteem; training.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

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Figure 1
PRISMA flowchart.
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