New Technologies for Promoting Physical Activity in Healthy Children and in Children with Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is proven to benefit children and adolescents in several ways. New technologies may provide children with stimulating modalities for organizing their leisure time, accessing fitness programs, and obtaining daily goal reminders and peer support. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, following WHO recommendations for PA is difficult for many children, especially for those living in urban areas. Therefore, the use of digital tools to support and maintain PA could be useful in healthy children, as well as in those with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). This narrative review aims to summarize the most recent evidence about the role of new technologies in promoting PA in healthy children and in those with CRDs, in supporting PA during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in enhancing psychological wellbeing in this age group. The use of technological devices for promoting PA, such as web/mobile apps and games, has been proven to be effective both in healthy children and in those with CRDs. In conclusion, new technologies are very promising in terms of feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy in promoting PA. Further studies are required to evaluate the long-term health benefits of using these technologies.

Technology-Based Intervention for Building Healthy Campus: Health Promoting Lifestyle in the Universities

“…Short text messages (SMS) sent to mobile phones are one of the most traditional systems for encouraging PA and motivating people to foster behavioural changes toward an active lifestyle [34]. Another traditional way of exploiting technology to promote Physical activity is represented by self-monitoring devices such as heart rate (HR) monitors, pedometers, and accelerometers, which can motivate to increase Physical activity by providing instantaneous feedback] In very recent years, technology advancements have allowed the development of innovative digital tools, which may be grouped into two categories: web/mobile application and games [35]. The most recent smartphone app released is called the "Recess and Exercise Advocacy Program" (REAP).…”

Serious Games: A new Approach to Foster Information and Practices About Covid-19?

“…In recent years, serious games have been used and recognized as a potential tool to improve education in health care settings as well ( Olszewski and Wolbrink, 2017 ; Blanié et al, 2020 ). Of note, the use of serious games in vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic has been recently considered as a promising tool in enhancing physical activity and healthy movement behaviors ( Ferrante et al, 2021 ; Malizia et al, 2021 ). In such a peculiar situation as the COVID-19 pandemic, when online education and training seem to be the only alternative to reach as wide and heterogeneous an audience as possible, these games could be very effective.…”