<![CDATA[Increasing job demands have made work stress and burnout important occupational health concerns, while evidence on the role of physical activity remains heterogeneous. This study aimed to identify and evaluate scientific evidence regarding the relationship between physical activity and work stress among workers, including differences in activity context and the psychological mechanisms involved. A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA 2020, with searches in Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed for articles published between 2016 and 2026. Of 1,150 records identified, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed through narrative synthesis, while methodological quality was assessed using JBI Critical Appraisal Tools. Overall, leisure time physical activity was associated with lower work stress, burnout, and exhaustion, as well as higher resilience and positive affect. However, the relationship varied according to activity context, intensity, frequency, and psychological mechanisms. Regulatory emotional self efficacy, psychological detachment, and psychological resilience emerged as mediators, while activity intensity and intrinsic motivation acted as moderators in several studies. In contrast, occupational physical activity was associated with higher stress and exhaustion in some findings. Physical activity may therefore support work stress management when programs are tailored to activity type, occupational context, and worker needs]]>
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