The unprecedented pace of advancement witnessed in the United Arab Emirates during the preceding half-century has stimulated nationwide growth in sporting activities, physical recreation, and exercise, collectively known as “physical culture” by certain social scientists. Conducting an examination of the existing body of literature on the UAE’s physical culture is imperative for furthering the endeavors of stakeholders in this crucial domain of the rapidly evolving sociocultural fabric of the country. 

Consequently, the objective of this scoping review was to chart the landscape of literature pertaining to the physical culture in the UAE. Our specific aim was to identify prevailing publication trends and areas of focus within this literature. The criteria for eligibility stipulated that the literature should be published online in English and should have a particular emphasis on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or one or more of its emirates. In order to include relevant literature in this review, a search was conducted across seven databases. The review encompassed sixty records that elucidated various aspects of physical culture. Among these records, the largest proportion pertained to sports tourism (20%) and health and wellness (20%). All records were published as journal articles between 2000 and 2022, with the majority (63%) being published after 2015. These records were contextualized within nine different locations, with UAE being the most prevalent (38%). Furthermore, they focused on sixteen different populations, with students accounting for 17% of the emphasis. The dimensions of physical culture covered various areas, incorporating various topics within these dimensions. Hence, this comprehensive review serves as a foundation for future endeavors aimed at delving deeper into, comprehending, and optimizing physical culture in UAE, thereby benefiting both residents and visitors through physical activity opportunities.