School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.
Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Faculty of Health, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.
J Med Internet Res. 2024 Oct 18;26:e52302. doi: 10.2196/52302.
Despite the known benefits of physical activity (PA), rates of engagement in PA remain low globally. Low engagement in PA among young women can impact their health. Technology-supported PA may increase PA and physical literacy (PL; skills that can support PA) among young women.
This systematic review aims to investigate the (1) associations between technology-supported PA and PA levels, (2) associations between technology-supported PA and PL levels, and (3) types of technology-supported PA that are associated with higher levels of PA engagement among young women aged 13 to 24 years. This age range was chosen as it includes two transitional periods characterized by decreases in PA.
We searched 6 databases: Applied Science and Technology Source, Education Source, Embase, MEDLINE Complete, Global Health, and SPORTDiscus. Eligible studies were original research published in English between January 1, 2010, and April 24, 2024; focused on young women; and involving either technology-supported PA interventions or research exploring the correlation between technology and PA and PL. The findings of the review were presented descriptively. Study quality was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal tools. There were no deviations from the registered protocol.
In total, 23 (0.1%) studies (10,233 participants) from 23,609 records were included: randomized controlled trials (n=9, 39%), nonrandomized or retrospective observational studies (n=9, 39%), and cross-sectional studies (n=5, 22%). Of the 23 studies, 12 (52%) focused on young adults (aged ≥19 y), 9 (39%) involved adolescents (aged <19 y), and 2 (9%) focused on both groups. Nine studies (39%) were theory based. Common types of technology-supported PA were interactive websites or social media platforms (10/23, 43%), wearable fitness trackers (4/23, 17%), and mobile apps (4/23, 17%). PA or PL were predominantly self-reported (18/23, 78%). A total of 53 PA outcomes were measured: 36% (19/53) reported a positive impact on PA from mobile apps (9/15; 60% of analyses), interactive websites or social media platforms (8/27; 30% of analyses) and wearable fitness trackers (2/11; 18% of analyses). The impact on PL was weak (2/7; 29% of analyses). Eight studies (35%) were rated high, 7 (30%) medium, and 8 (35%) low in quality.
There was limited evidence that technology-supported PA improved young women's PA or PL. The evidence was limited by poor study quality and a lack of theoretical frameworks. In addition, little information was provided on the designs of the technology used. Future interventions seeking to improve young women's PA and PL should focus on the development of mobile apps underpinned by behavior change theory and addressing whole domains of PL rather than specific elements. Given that technology continues to rapidly advance, further studies are needed to demonstrate the impact of technology-supported PA in improving PA and PL among young women.
尽管身体活动（PA）的益处众所周知，但全球范围内参与 PA 的比例仍然很低。年轻女性参与 PA 的比例低可能会影响她们的健康。技术支持的 PA 可以提高年轻女性的 PA 和身体素养（PL；支持 PA 的技能）。
本系统评价旨在调查（1）技术支持的 PA 与 PA 水平之间的关系，（2）技术支持的 PA 与 PL 水平之间的关系，以及（3）与年轻女性 13 至 24 岁之间更高水平的 PA 参与相关的技术支持的 PA 类型。选择这个年龄范围是因为它包括两个过渡时期，特点是 PA 减少。
我们在 6 个数据库中进行了搜索：应用科学与技术资源全文数据库、教育资源全文数据库、Embase、MEDLINE 完整数据库、全球健康数据库和 SPORTDiscus。合格的研究是 2010 年 1 月 1 日至 2024 年 4 月 24 日期间发表的英文原始研究；关注年轻女性；并涉及技术支持的 PA 干预或研究探索技术与 PA 和 PL 之间的相关性。综述的结果以描述性方式呈现。使用 JBI 批判性评估工具评估研究质量。没有偏离注册方案。
共有 23 项（0.1%）研究（10,233 名参与者）来自 23,609 条记录：随机对照试验（n=9，39%）、非随机或回顾性观察性研究（n=9，39%）和横断面研究（n=5，22%）。在 23 项研究中，12 项（52%）侧重于年轻成年人（年龄≥19 岁），9 项（39%）涉及青少年（年龄<19 岁），2 项（9%）同时涉及这两个年龄组。9 项研究（39%）基于理论。常见的技术支持的 PA 类型是互动网站或社交媒体平台（10/23，43%）、可穿戴健身追踪器（4/23，17%）和移动应用程序（4/23，17%）。PA 或 PL 主要是自我报告（18/23，78%）。共测量了 53 个 PA 结果：36%（19/53）报告移动应用程序（9/15；60%的分析）、互动网站或社交媒体平台（8/27；30%的分析）和可穿戴健身追踪器（2/11；18%的分析）对 PA 有积极影响。对 PL 的影响较弱（2/7；29%的分析）。8 项研究（35%）被评为高质量，7 项（30%）为中等质量，8 项（35%）为低质量。
有有限的证据表明技术支持的 PA 提高了年轻女性的 PA 或 PL。证据受到研究质量差和缺乏理论框架的限制。此外，关于所使用技术的设计信息很少。未来旨在提高年轻女性 PA 和 PL 的干预措施应侧重于基于行为改变理论开发移动应用程序，并解决 PL 的整个领域，而不仅仅是特定元素。鉴于技术继续快速发展，需要进一步的研究来证明技术支持的 PA 在提高年轻女性的 PA 和 PL 方面的作用。
