Digital tools increase MVPA minutes but do not significantly change daily step counts in school-aged children

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Frontiers in Medicine Published June 5, 2026 Medically reviewed June 5, 2026 Study authors: Garden Tabacchi, Roberta Cottone, Antonino Scardina, Marta Giardina, Antonella Amato, Sonya Vasto, G… DOI ↗ By Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain

Key Takeaway

Note that digital tools increase MVPA but do not significantly increase daily step counts in children.

This meta-analysis evaluated global interventions based on the use of digital tools for physical activity in healthy school-aged children and adolescents aged 6–17 years. Data were drawn from 43 randomized controlled trials. The primary outcomes assessed were daily step count and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity minutes per day. Follow-up duration was not reported.

The analysis found a significant increase in MVPA minutes per day with a weighted mean difference of 2.72 (95% CI: 0.83–4.61). In contrast, there was no significant overall effect on daily step count. The weighted mean difference for steps was 267.81 with a 95% CI of −198.58–734.20. Adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability were not reported.

The authors highlight that 27.8% of the included studies were judged to have a high risk of bias. They conclude that the generalizability of digital interventions remains limited. To enhance effectiveness, future interventions should be carefully tailored, taking into consideration specific factors such as the type of digital tool, the delivery device, and the integration of supportive non-digital elements.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Digital tools can influence young people's physical activity both positively and negatively. This meta-analysis (MA) aims to determine whether global interventions based on the use of digital tools are effective in increasing step count and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among healthy school-aged children. This MA builds upon a previous umbrella review that identified 43 randomized controlled trials evaluating digital tools aimed at increasing step counts and daily MVPA in healthy children and adolescents aged 6–17 years. Risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Effect estimates were expressed as weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and τ² (tau-squared) was used to calculate prediction intervals. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed, along with an assessment of small-study effects to detect potential publication bias. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024510602). Data were extracted from 18 step count and 32 MVPA observations. Although 27.8% of the studies were judged to have a high risk of bias, this did not significantly affect the overall effectiveness of the interventions. The meta-analysis found no significant overall effect of digital interventions on daily step count (WMD: 267.81; 95% CI: −198.58–734.20), but a significant increase in MVPA minutes per day was observed (WMD: 2.72; 95% CI: 0.83–4.61). Subgroup analyses indicated greater effectiveness when the digital component included a wearable device or a combination of tools, a non-digital component was integrated into the intervention design, and the intervention was delivered via a mix of devices. Globally, digital interventions appear to be effective in increasing MVPA among school-aged children but not in significantly increasing step counts. The results of the subgroup analyses indicate that the generalizability of digital interventions remains limited. To enhance effectiveness, future interventions should be carefully tailored, taking into consideration specific factors such as the type of digital tool, the delivery device, and the integration of supportive non-digital elements.