Prevention

2.4.4 Technology and physical activity

Technology has substantially influenced the ways people engage in physical activity. The integration of mobile applications, wearable devices, and gamified solutions is pivotal in increasing physical activity across various demographics, including children, adults, and older adults. The continued evolution of these digital tools promises further advancements in promoting health and physical fitness today and into the future. Telehealth and digital interventions represent an expanding domain that bridges traditional barriers to physical activity access. The private sector has increasingly invested in developing mobile applications and internet platforms for delivering physical activity programs and coaching tailored to diverse populations. Moreover, these interventions can efficiently scale, reaching individuals who may find traditional methods of physical activity promotion challenging due to mobility restrictions or lack of local resources. The growing popularity of wearable fitness technology further illustrates how private sector innovation can enhance individual accountability and motivation, facilitating the adoption of active lifestyles on a broader scale (Larsen et al., 2017).

Below we discuss specific use cases of technology for physical activity:

Fitness Apps

Fitness applications serve as significant motivators for users to engage in physical activity through features such as goal tracking, reminders and social connectivity. Mobile apps such as Fitbit and Strava facilitate self-monitoring, leveraging the benefits of instant feedback to sustain motivation over time and have great potential to promote engagement in physical activity (Petersen et al., 2020). Additional design elements, such as social components and competitive features, can further enhance user engagement in physical activities (Romeo et al., 2019).

Even older populations using devices such as fitness trackers experience increases in their activity levels due to the ability to set personalized goals and provide real-time feedback on performance, and can counter barriers to exercise such as social isolation (Wu et al., 2023).

Gaming Platforms

Technological advancements are further exemplified through active gaming, or “exergaming,” which combines physical movement with gaming elements to encourage participation. This approach has shown effectiveness in engaging children with schools already integrating these technologies within educational settings. The social dynamics created by community platforms within fitness applications allow users to connect and support each other, which has been shown to increase overall participation rates in physical activity. Gamification and competitive elements, eg. leaderboards or challenges among friends, inspire users to stay accountable through peer interactions, enhancing group involvement in physical activities (Santri & Anggita, 2023).

Future Technologies and Fitness

In the future, it is anticipated that innovations in technology will enable greater impact on physical activity; artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning may provide more personalized recommendations, while virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) can offer immersive experiences for exercise, making it more enjoyable and less of a chore. These advancements could bridge the gap for individuals facing barriers to traditional forms of physical activity, such as those with disabilities or chronic conditions, enhancing their potential for participation in fitness (Koorts et al., 2020; , Sultoni et al., 2021).