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Updated: Sep 2, 2026
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
A scoping review of how automation, self-tracking dose characteristics, and participant age are operationalized in
Jingchuan Wu1,2, Alexa Maiorano1,3, Scherezade K Mama4
1Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
Background:
Self-tracking physical activity can involve receiving behavioral feedback from a device, engaging in manual self-monitoring, or a combination of the two.
Objective:
This scoping review examines the implementation of digital self-tracking interventions aimed at promoting physical activity among adults, emphasizing automation formats, dosage metrics, and age-specific adaptations.
Methods:
A scoping review was conducted of randomized intervention studies published between 2007 and 2025. Eligible studies examined digital self-tracking interventions targeting physical activity in adult populations. Data were charted to summarize intervention characteristics, including self-tracking format, automation level, intervention duration, tracking frequency, and age-related patterns.
Results:
A total of 197 studies involving 38,492 participants were included. Semi-automated approaches were used most frequently (52%), followed by automated (31%) and manual (7%) methods, and multiple-method approaches (10%). Wearable devices were the most common intervention format (37%), often combined with other digital applications (33%). Intervention duration averaged 21 weeks, and daily self-tracking was the most frequently reported tracking schedule (60%). Few age-related differences in self-tracking format and frequency were observed; however, interventions targeting younger adults tended to be shorter in duration, whereas those targeting middle-aged and older adults more often involved extended self-tracking periods.
Conclusions:
Digital self-tracking interventions for physical activity in adults show substantial variability in format and dosage. The findings highlight the need for age-responsive and dosage-specific strategies to improve engagement and support physical activity behavior change.