The Role of Physical Education in Adolescent Life Satisfaction and Well-being

Adolescence marks a period of significant physical, emotional, and social transformation. Physical Education (PE) and sports are critical during this developmental phase, shown to boost self-esteem, socio-emotional skills, and overall well-being. Recent research underscores the positive correlations between active participation in these activities and various aspects of adolescent health. However, there remains a gap in investigations specifically focused on how life satisfaction—considered a subjective measure of well-being—affects adolescents' motivation, academic achievements, and mental health within both educational and sports contexts.

This Research Topic aims to delve into the interplay between life satisfaction and the realms of Physical Education and sports among adolescents. We aim to uncover both the benefits and actionable strategies to optimize these effects. The objectives are detailed as to evaluate the influence of life satisfaction on internal motivation and engagement in physical activities, understand the roles of school, social, and familial environments on physical and emotional health outcomes, and to assess and devise interventions that leverage PE and sports to bolster mental health and foster community in educational settings.

To gather further insights into the roles and impacts of life satisfaction within educational and sports settings for adolescents, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Physical education's pivotal role in augmenting life satisfaction among adolescents.
- Interdisciplinary perspectives on sports, mental health, and overall life contentment in an educational context.
- Innovative methods to evaluate the impact of physical education on personal happiness in educational settings.
- Longitudinal studies on the relationship between life satisfaction and academic performance in sports.
- Cultural and gender variations in life satisfaction perceptions of adolescents through sports.

Through this collection, we aim to broaden academic dialogue regarding youth well-being and provide concrete, actionable recommendations for educators, policy makers, and sports coaches. In doing so, we strive to support the establishment of more robust and enduring interventions that nurture holistic health and development throughout the teenage years.

Keywords: Adolescence, PE, Well-being, Life Satisfaction, Performance, Mental Health

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.