The role of basic psychological need satisfaction in the relationship between exercise and well-being in adolescents: a systematic review

Objective Over recent decades, global adolescent wellbeing has deteriorated, with around 13.4% of adolescents worldwide meeting diagnostic criteria for at least one mental disorder. Although physical activity enhances adolescent wellbeing, the mechanisms driving this effect remain only partially understood. This systematic review examines whether basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS—autonomy, competence, relatedness) mediates the relationship between exercise and wellbeing among 10–18-year-olds. Methods We systematically searched five electronic databases for peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2026. In total, 23 studies met our inclusion criteria; these studies were narratively synthesized, assessed for risk of bias via design-appropriate tools, and collectively encompassed over 10,000 adolescents from 13 countries. Results Elevated BPNS was consistently linked to higher subjective vitality, greater life satisfaction, increased positive affect, and enhanced flourishing ( β = 0.19–0.80; r = 0.19–0.68). Competence satisfaction emerged as the most reliable predictor of wellbeing, especially in competitive sports, while autonomy and relatedness impacts varied by context. Psychological need frustration independently associated with negative affect and burnout, supporting the dual-process model. Evidence is most robust in school physical education contexts, with notably scarce research on mindfulness-based and resistance training. The only included cluster-randomized controlled trial reported no significant intervention effect, and reliance on observational designs constrains causal inference. Conclusion This review highlights BPNS—especially competence satisfaction—as a credible mechanism linking exercise to better adolescent wellbeing. Thus, physical education curricula, youth sports initiatives, and exercise programs should adopt need-supportive approaches. Future RCTs must pre-specify BPNS as a mediator to confirm causal pathways. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261460142 , identifier CRD420261460142.