https://arvinfomedia.com/myjournals/index.php/GIJSSPE <p><strong>Global Impact Journal: Sports Science and Physical Education</strong> is a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to publishing high-quality original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and selected high-impact reprints in sports science, physical education, and human performance. The journal aims to advance theoretical understanding, methodological rigor, and practical applications in exercise science, athletic performance, and physical education, while fostering interdisciplinary research and innovation. It provides a platform for researchers, educators, practitioners, and policymakers to disseminate findings that contribute to fundamental knowledge, applied research, and translational studies across sports performance, health promotion, physical fitness, biomechanics, and exercise physiology.</p> <p>Published half-yearly, the journal is available in both print and electronic formats, ensuring wide accessibility to the research community.</p> en-US Global Impact Journal: Sports Science & Physical Education https://arvinfomedia.com/myjournals/index.php/GIJSSPE/article/view/467 <p>This narrative review synthesizes existing literature on outdoor physical activity and youth well-being, with mountain biking considered as an illustrative example of a high-engagement, nature-based activity. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple academic databases, including Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, SocINDEX, ERIC, and additional hand searches in Google Scholar and Web of Science. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using an iterative thematic approach. Three primary themes emerged: resilience, mood and emotional well-being, and social connectedness. Across studies, outdoor physical activity was associated with improvements in self-efficacy, stress reduction, and peer relationships. However, most studies examined outdoor activity broadly, with limited evidence specific to mountain biking. While prior literature suggests that biological and psychosocial processes (e.g., engagement with nature, social interaction, and perceived competence) may underlie these associations, these mechanisms were not directly tested in most included studies. Findings should therefore be interpreted as indicative of associations rather than causal effects. Overall, outdoor physical activity represents a promising, accessible approach for supporting youth well-being. Future research should further examine activity-specific impacts, including mountain biking, and prioritize longitudinal and experimental designs to better understand mechanisms and long-term outcomes.</p> Katherine Mommaerts Ruby Johnson Sydney Joy Varner Nathalia Marchese Copyright (c) 2026 Global Impact Journal: Sports Science & Physical Education 2026-10-17 2026-10-17 1–13 1–13