TITLE:
Minority Populations’ Access to Alternative Forms of Physical Activity: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR)
AUTHORS:
Kadi Ali, Anagnostou Garyfallos
KEYWORDS:
Systematic Review, Physical Activity, Minority Populations, Migrants, Barriers to Participation, Structural Exclusion, Social Inclusion
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Physical Education,
Vol.16 No.3,
June
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study aims to systematically synthesize the primary literature on barriers, facilitators and participation patterns among minority and immigrant populations in physical activity, with particular attention to alternative forms of physical activity. Particular emphasis is placed on the structural dimension of access and the role that different contexts and ways of organizing physical activity play in shaping inequalities of participation. Methodology: A Systematic Literature Review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The search was conducted in international scientific databases and included exclusively primary, open-access studies of quantitative, qualitative or mixed methodology. Nine studies that met the pre-specified inclusion criteria and focused on minority or immigrant populations were included in the final sample. Results: Thematic synthesis of findings revealed that participation in physical activity is influenced by multi-level barriers, including practical constraints such as time and cost, sociocultural factors such as language, cultural perceptions and structural characteristics of the exercise settings themselves. Social support, flexibility and perceived benefits for physical and mental health were identified as key facilitating factors. At the same time, organised forms of physical activity appear to be associated with increased structural exclusion, compared to commercial or self-organised activities. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the field remains under-researched, with a limited number of primary studies, insufficient geographical coverage and a limited focus on alternative or non-formal forms of physical activity. Further empirical, multi-level and culturally sensitive research approaches are needed to understand and address inequalities in access to physical activity.