Technology-based programmes show more consistent activity gains in older adults
An overview of reviews found a clearer pattern for increasing movement than for reducing sitting, with substantial concerns about review quality.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Technology-based programmes generally showed increases in physical activity and step counts. Results for exercise and behavioural programmes were mixed, while evidence on reducing sedentary time was limited and inconsistent. This abstract-based overview supports a more consistent pattern for activity outcomes, but does not establish which programme works best or how large the gains are.
Most included reviews received low or critically low quality ratings. The abstract gives no pooled effect sizes or details of comparison groups, limiting judgments about the size and practical importance of activity changes.
Movement and sitting were separate outcomes
The researchers considered total activity, step counts, more intense activity and sedentary time separately. A programme showing an increase in movement cannot be assumed to reduce sitting, because the review found much less consistent evidence for that outcome.
Results varied across programme types
Exercise and behavioural reviews included positive, statistically nonsignificant and mixed activity findings. Technology-based reviews more consistently reported activity gains, but this pattern does not establish a direct head-to-head advantage over other approaches.
The original publication
Interventions for promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary time among people aged 55 years and older: an overview of systematic reviews.
Tang Q, Shan S, Chen H et al.
Age Ageing · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41758558
- Record checked
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