Systems approaches to physical activity promotion in public policy and practice: a scoping review

Although physical activity offers health benefits for the population, many individuals do not meet the recommended guidelines. The coordinated and integrated implementation of policies, programs, and actions promoted by public institutions to encourage physical activity represents a promising approach. The aim of this scoping review was to examine how the systems approach was being applied to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of physical activity policies and interventions. A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Four electronic databases were searched: SportDiscus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Eleven articles published between 2020 and 2025 were identified. The analysis focused on the systems research methods applied, their objectives, stages, scale of actors studied, stakeholders and sectors, identified challenges, and key findings. The main methodologies used in the 11 analysed articles were grouped into three categories: system mapping ( n = 6), network analysis ( n = 1), and mixed-methods implementation approaches ( n = 4). Studies conducted at both local and national levels showed diverse applications of the systems approach. Social network analysis was applied to examine relationships among actors and leadership structures. Studies using combined methods provided a flexible, context-adapted view of systemic processes. Research shows that physical activity is not an isolated individual decision, but rather the outcome of systemic interactions among multiple factors. Systems approaches appear useful for improving understanding of policy–practice relationships, supporting multisectoral collaboration, and developing shared representations of complex PA systems.