A systematic review of correlates of physical activity of LGBTQIA+ people.

Self-perceived health was consistently positively associated with physical activity among LGBTQIA+ individuals.

• Classification criteria required 60-100% of reported tests to show an association for a 'consistent' designation
• Self-perceived health was among fifteen intrapersonal correlates studied in four or more studies
• The finding suggests that improving actual health (self-perception of health) may improve PA among LGBTQIA+ individuals
• The review used the socio-ecological model as a framework for classifying correlates

Being transgender was consistently negatively correlated with physical activity.

• Transgender identity was classified as a consistent negative association ('-'), meaning 60-100% of reported tests showed a negative association
• Being transgender was among fifteen intrapersonal correlates examined by four or more studies
• The authors concluded that strategies to increase PA levels among transgender individuals are needed
• This finding was derived from the pool of 45 intrapersonal correlates identified across 81 included studies

Relationship status, social support, and community connectedness all showed no association with physical activity in LGBTQIA+ individuals.

• These three interpersonal correlates were each examined by four or more different studies
• All three were classified as 'no association' ('0'), meaning 0-33% of reported tests showed an association
• A total of 13 interpersonal correlates were identified, but only these three met the threshold of four or more studies
• Social support and community connectedness are commonly hypothesized correlates of PA in general populations

The systematic review identified 63 correlates of physical activity across 81 included studies of LGBTQIA+ adults.

• Seven online databases were searched from inception to September 2025
• Correlates were organized using the socio-ecological model into intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental, and organisational/policy levels
• 45 intrapersonal correlates were identified, of which 15 were examined in four or more studies
• Only three environmental and two organisational/policy correlates were identified, and none were examined by four or more studies
• The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024559738)

Evidence on environmental and organisational/policy correlates of physical activity for LGBTQIA+ individuals is sparse.

• Only three environmental correlates and two organisational/policy correlates were identified across all 81 studies
• None of the environmental or organisational/policy correlates were examined by four or more studies, precluding synthesis under the review's criteria
• The authors concluded that 'more evidence is required on environmental and organisational/policy factors'
• This contrasts with the intrapersonal level, where 45 correlates were identified and 15 met the four-study threshold