The past, present and future use of technology-enabled physical activity interventions in clinical and non-clinical populations: a bibliometric trend analysis across four decades - Takeaways - MDSpire

The past, present and future use of technology-enabled physical activity interventions in clinical and non-clinical populations: a bibliometric trend analysis across four decades

  • By

  • Hannes Baumann

  • George Thomas

  • Stephanie Alley

  • Mitch J. Duncan

  • Meighan Browne

  • Bettina Wollesen

  • Corneel Vandelanotte

  • Nicholas Gilson

  • May 29, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Physical inactivity is a global health challenge, contributing to chronic disease risk and premature mortality.

  • 2

    A bibliometric analysis identified 2,981 studies on technology-supported physical activity interventions from 1988 to 2025.

  • 3

    Smartphone/mHealth and wearable sensors became dominant platforms for physical activity interventions in the 2010s and early 2020s.

  • 4

    Non-clinical studies adopted newer technology platforms earlier than clinical studies, which lagged in adoption.

  • 5

    The study highlights the need for theory-informed intervention design and notes that bibliometric prominence does not equal real-world efficacy.

Original Source(s)

The past, present and future use of technology-enabled physical activity interventions in clinical and non-clinical populations: a bibliometric trend analysis across four decades

  • by Hannes Baumann, George Thomas, Stephanie Alley, Mitch J. Duncan, Meighan Browne, Bettina Wollesen, Corneel Vandelanotte, Nicholas Gilson

  • May 29, 2026

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