From judicial compliance to social inclusion: A systematic review of the effects of sport in juvenile justice

Sport is a valuable tool for promoting well-being, holistic development, and social inclusion among vulnerable youth, especially those serving judicial measures. However, research on this topic remains limited. This article presents a systematic review of studies in English and Spanish, published in Scopus and Web of Science, focusing on the effects of sport and the characteristics of interventions in juvenile justice contexts. Following the PRISMA protocol, 14 studies were included. Results show psychological, physical, and social benefits, highlighting the importance of quality relationships, participatory methodologies, and continuity of interventions. Strengths include inter-institutional collaboration, staff training and stability, and active youth participation. Challenges include lack of resources, program discontinuity, limited facilities and equipment, and reduced access for girls. Findings underscore the need to design sustainable, rights-based interventions that harness sport’s potential to support social reintegration and prevent delinquent behavior among youth under judicial measures.