ABSTRACT

Purpose: Adolescence is characterised by a marked decline in physical activity alongside a rising prevalence of mental health disorders. As a result, scholarly interest in the relationship between physical activity and adolescent mental health has grown rapidly. This study aims to systematically map the intellectual and social structure of this research domain, providing a comprehensive overview of its development, key themes, and collaborative patterns. Methods: A bibliometric approach was employed to analyse publications indexed in the Scopus database from 2022 to 2026. Data were extracted and analysed using VOSviewer software, focusing on keyword co-occurrence to identify thematic structures and co-authorship networks to examine patterns of scholarly collaboration. Findings: The keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed a well-developed and interconnected intellectual structure, organised into distinct yet related thematic clusters, including clinical mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety), positive psychology (e.g., well-being, self-esteem), and lifestyle behaviours (e.g., sedentary behaviour). Co-authorship analysis demonstrated the presence of several strong and centralised research networks that significantly contribute to knowledge production. However, collaboration across these networks remains relatively limited, indicating fragmentation within the field. Implications for Research and Practice: The findings suggest that while the field has reached a level of maturity, future progress depends on strengthening interdisciplinary and cross-network collaborations. Bridging existing thematic and social clusters may foster more integrative research and support the development of comprehensive, evidence-based interventions aimed at improving adolescent mental health through physical activity.