Community social skills and their link with recreation and physical activity: a bibliometric analysis of scientific production (2015–2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v73.117965Keywords:
Community development , inclusion, physical activity, recreation, social skillsAbstract
Introduction: The study of the link between social skills and physical activity has grown in recent decades, as these competencies are recognized as essential for psychosocial well-being and are strengthened in community contexts where sport and recreation play an integrative role.
Objective: To analyze the scientific production on community social skills and their connection with recreation and physical activity in the period 2015–2025.
Methodology: The study was conducted under a quantitative approach and exploratory–descriptive research design.
Results: The contributions of the reviewed studies are mainly concentrated in two areas: the strengthening of social skills in specific populations, and the use of recreation and physical activity as mediators in processes of inclusion and community development.
Discussion: When comparing the findings with previous studies, convergences and nuances emerge that enrich the understanding of the topic.
Conclusions: The bibliometric analysis carried out proved to be a significant contribution to the understanding of the role of sports and recreational programs in different cultural and educational contexts.
References
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
Bisquerra, R. (2009). Metodología de la investigación educativa (2.ª ed.). La Muralla.
Cromwell, S., Nelson, C., Ivie, D., Callister, M., Reber, B., Everitt, M., & Palmer, M. (2024). Outdoor Recreation Programs: An Innovative Approach to Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth. NEAFCS Journal. [Archivo en PDF]. https://neafcs.memberclicks.net/assets/documents/journal/2024-journal/Outdoor%20Recreation%20Programs.pdf
Farrance, C., Tsofliou, F., & Clark, C. (2016). Adherence to community based group exercise interventions for older people: A mixed-methods systematic review. Preventive Medicine, 87(16), 155-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.02.037
Golaszewski, N., LaCroix, A., Hooker, S., & Bartholomew, J. (2021). Group exercise membership is associated with forms of social support, exercise identity, and amount of physical activity. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 20(2), 630-643. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2021.1891121
Gyasi, R., Phillips, D., Asante, F., & Boateng, S. (2021). Physical activity and predictors of loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: The role of social connectedness. Geriatric Nursing, 42(2), 592-598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.11.004
Hermens, N., Super, S., Verkooijen, K, & Kooelen, M. (2017). A Systematic Review of Life Skill Development Through Sports Programs Serving Socially Vulnerable Youth. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 88(4), 408–424. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2017.1355527
Hernández, R., Fernández, C., & Baptista, P. (2014). Metodología de la investigación (6.ª ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Koçak, A., Ertüzün, E., & Tas, F. (2021). The effect of the therapeutic recreation program for children with autistic spectrum disorder on their social skills. Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity, 13(7), 23-31. doi: 10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.2.02
Li, J., & Shao, W. (2022). Influence of Sports Activities on Prosocial Behavior of Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Environmental Research Public Health, 19(11), 6484-6492. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116484
Mier, D., Hernández, S., & Bustamante, A. (2023). Habilidades Sociales en Adolescentes que Participan en Actividades Deportivas del Barrio Puerta Roja del Municipio de Sincelejo-Sucre. [Tesis de pregrado, Corporación Universitaria del Caribe] https://repositorio.cecar.edu.co/server/api/core/bitstreams/03b8e13c-8162-42a7-a7a4-fdb5e686486d/content
Rodríguez, J., & Coronado, J. (2022). Actividad física y habilidades sociales en el marco de la pandemia de covid-19. Habitus: Semilleros de investigación, 2(4), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.19053/22158391.13659
Rojas, R., & Pozo, Y. (2023). Actividad Física y habilidades sociales en los estudiantes del VII ciclo de la Institución educativa Mixto Huaycán, Vitarte 2022. [Tesis de pregrado, Universidad Nacional de Educación Enrique Guzmán y Valle] https://repositorio.une.edu.pe/server/api/core/bitstreams/cdc66f2c-d3b0-4fed-afa1-090446914b9d/content
Sánchez, G., Apolo, D., & Avila, C. (2022). Influencia del deporte en las habilidades sociales de estudiantes de la comunidad montubia de Balsalito. Polo del Conocimiento, 7(6), 2016-2029. https://doi.org/10.23857/pc.v7i6.4178
Symeonidou, S. (2023). Effects of Physical Activities on Social Skills and Well-being in Autistic Children. A systematic literature review from 2012-2023. [Tesis de Maestría, Jönköping University] https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2%3A1758718/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Teques, A., Oliveira, R., Bednarikova, M., Bertollo, M., Botwina, G., Khomutova, A., Emir, H., Dinc, I., López, M., & Teques, P. (2024). Social and Emotional Skills in at-Risk Adolescents through Participation in Sports. Sports, 12(17), 181-192. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12070181
Toscano, C., Ferreira, J., Quinaud, R., Silva, K., Carvalho, H., & Gaspar, J. (2022). Exercise improves the social and behavioral skills of children and adolescent with autism spectrum disorders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13(5), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1027799
Umstattd, M., Prochnow, T., Pickett, A., Perry, C., Bridges, C., Abildso, C., & Pollack, C. (2021). The Effects of Play Streets on Social and Community Connectedness in Rural Communities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 9976-9985. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18199976
Weiss, M. R., & Wiese-Bjornstal, D. M. (2009). Developmental sport and exercise psychology: A lifespan perspective. Fitness Information Technology.
Wray, A., Martin, G., Ostermeier, E., Medeiros, A., Little, M., Reilly, K., & Gilliland, J. (2020). Evidence synthesis - Physical activity and social connectedness interventions in outdoor spaces among children and youth: a rapid review. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can, 40(4), 104–115. https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.40.4.02
Yip, G., Sarma, S., & Wilk, P. (2016). The association between social cohesion and physical activity in canada: A multilevel analisis. SSM Popul Health, 28(2), 718-723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2016.09.010
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Walter Gonzalo Bailón Bailón, Jorge Eduardo Erazo Parrales, Wilson Alexander Zambrano Vélez
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
