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Published on: March 7, 2019
Technology-Based Interventions for Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Adults: A Scoping Review
Mariasole Antonietta Guerriero1, Vittoria Lettieri2, Fiorenzo Moscatelli2
1Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy.
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Digital health interventions effectively boost physical activity in adults but show mixed results for reducing sedentary behavior. Tailored, adaptive strategies are crucial for combating prolonged sitting.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Digital Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are significant public health issues linked to non-communicable diseases and increased healthcare costs.
- Technology-based interventions (wearable devices, mHealth apps, AI) are increasingly used to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary time in adults.
- Existing evidence is fragmented across different intervention types, targets, and populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map recent literature on digital interventions for promoting active lifestyles in adults.
- To specifically examine their impact on physical activity promotion and sedentary behavior reduction.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
- Searched PubMed and Scopus for studies (2022-2026) on digital technologies, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in adults.
- Included 35 studies after screening and eligibility assessment, synthesizing data narratively.
Main Results:
- Interventions included wearable devices, adaptive systems (AI, gamification), advanced technologies (IoT, exoskeletons), and hybrid models.
- Generally effective in increasing step count, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and adherence to movement behaviors.
- Less consistent effectiveness in reducing sedentary behavior, dependent on context-sensitive prompting and multicomponent/hybrid models.
Conclusions:
- Digital health interventions show promise for physical activity promotion but have limited, heterogeneous impact on sedentary behavior reduction.
- Increasing exercise alone is insufficient; tailored, adaptive, and context-aware approaches are needed to address prolonged sitting.
- Future research should focus on methodological standardization, longer follow-ups, and interventions targeting sedentary time interruption across diverse adult populations.
