Scalability and scaling-up strategy of a physical activity policy intervention in Australian childcare centres.

There is an urgent need for scalable interventions to promote physical activity in early childhood. An early childhood education and care (ECEC) physical activity policy intervention with implementation support strategies (Play Active) has been proposed for scale-up in Australia. This study sought to assess the scalability of Play Active and describe the Play Active scaling-up strategy.

Mobile Health Interventions for Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes and Overweight or Obesity-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and overweight or obesity are strongly associated, with a high prevalence of these concomitant conditions contributing significantly to global healthcare costs. Given this burden, there is an urgent need for effective interventions. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies represent a promising strategy to address both conditions simultaneously.

Effects of pre- and post-surgery physical activity interventions on physical activity and sedentary behaviour levels following knee and hip arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate general exercise and behavioural interventions designed to improve physical activity (PA) or reduce sedentary behaviour in total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA) patients.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on randomised controlled trials reporting PA or sedentary behaviour changes in TKA/THA patients, with effects calculated using standardised mean differences (SMD). Subgroup analyses assessed whether effects differed based on intervention characteristics, arthroplasty timing, outcome type, and follow-up duration.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity with adiposity and cardio-respiratory fitness in school-aged children: a compositional data analysis.

Background: Time spent in sleep, sedentary behaviour (SB), light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) all impact child health. The aim of this study was to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between time use and adiposity and cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) in school-aged children.

Methods: Cross-sectional (n = 281) and longitudinal (n = 305) data were used from the Life on Holidays study with assessments over three time periods (two consecutive school years, and the interleaving summer holiday period).

Effectiveness of an mHealth-based impact exercise program for bone health in postmenopausal women: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Background: Osteoporosis, a major global health concern, increases fracture risk due to reduced bone mineral density (BMD), particularly in postmenopausal women. Weight-bearing and high-impact exercises are recommended for bone health, yet accurately quantifying mechanical loading outside the laboratory remains a challenge. Without precise tools, it is difficult to assess whether individuals engage in sufficient osteogenic activity.

Evaluation of the Early Years South Australia mobile application.

Background: Released in July 2023 by the Office for Early Child Development in South Australia (SA), the Early Years SA mobile app supports parents of children aged 0-5 years with features including health check reminders, developmental milestone information, and a broad range of parenting resources. This study evaluated user awareness, engagement, and overall experience to identify areas for improvement and enhance the app's impact on child health outcomes in SA.

Methods: The app was promoted through state-wide campaigns, including social media, parenting expos, and healthcare professional referrals, with an estimated eligible population of ~ 52,000 families with children aged 0-5 years in SA.

MoveMentor-examining the effectiveness of a machine learning and app-based digital assistant to increase physical activity in adults: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Physical inactivity is prevalent, leading to a high burden of disease and large healthcare costs. Thus, there is a need for affordable, effective and scalable interventions. However, interventions that are affordable and scalable are beset with modest effects and engagement.

User Experiences and Attitudes Toward Sharing Wearable Activity Tracker Data with Healthcare Providers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

: Wearable activity trackers (WATs) are increasingly used by individuals to monitor physical activity, sleep, and other health behaviors. Integrating WAT data into clinical care may offer a cost-effective strategy to support health behavior change. However, little is known about users' willingness to share their WAT data with healthcare providers.

Impact of Iterative Development and Beta-Testing on the Usability and Acceptability of a Novel Just-in-Time Adaptive Digital Physical Activity Intervention.

Background: The search for cost-effective population-based physical activity interventions continues. Therefore, we developed a novel just-in-time adaptive digital assistant supported by machine learning (ie, MoveMentor). Beta-testing is essential to evaluate both technical performance and user acceptance.

Effectiveness of peer-led health behaviour interventions on adolescent's mental health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mental health disorders affect 15% of youth aged 10-19 years globally, typically emerging before age 15. While school-based peer-led programs show promise in improving physical health behaviours by leveraging existing social networks, reducing stigma, and demonstrating high implementation feasibility, their effectiveness for mental health outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review examined controlled trials of school-based, peer-led lifestyle interventions (physical activity, diet, or sleep) reporting mental health outcomes in adolescents aged 10-19 years.

Systematic Umbrella Review and Meta-Meta-Analysis: Effectiveness of Physical Activity in Improving Depression and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents.

Objective: Depression and anxiety are prevalent and rising in children and adolescents, prompting interest in exercise as a potential therapeutic intervention. The aim of this systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis (a meta-analysis of meta-analyses) was to evaluate the effects of exercise on depression and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents and to identify the most promising exercise-based approaches.

Method: This systematic umbrella review was preregistered (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024533558) and followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews (PRIOR) guidelines.

Stepping toward implementation using co-design: development of hospital protocols and resources for using wearable activity trackers in a hospital service.

Introduction: Low levels of patient physical activity during a hospital stay are linked to a variety of poor outcomes. Wearable activity trackers can help to boost patient activity and improve other outcomes during a hospitalisation, but a range of implementation barriers exist. Co-design research methodologies provide opportunities to bridge evidence-practice gaps, such as the implementation of wearable activity trackers to promote patient activity, by developing solutions and strategies in collaboration with key stakeholders.

Effectiveness of Digital Lifestyle Interventions on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Well-Being: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: There is a growing body of robust evidence to show that lifestyle behaviors influence mental health outcomes. Technology offers an accessible and cost-effective implementation method for interventions, yet the study of the effectiveness of interventions to date has been specific to the mode of delivery, population, or behavior.

Objective: The primary aim of this review was to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of digital lifestyle interventions for improving symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being as coprimary outcomes in adults.

Effectiveness of exercise for improving cognition, memory and executive function: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of exercise on general cognition, memory and executive function across all populations and ages.

Methods: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs evaluating the effects of exercise on general cognition, memory and executive function were eligible. Data extraction and risk of bias scoring were conducted in duplicate.

Minimum and optimal combined variations in sleep, physical activity, and nutrition in relation to all-cause mortality risk.

Background: Sleep, physical activity, and nutrition (SPAN) are critical behaviours for health, although they have traditionally been studied separately. We examined the combined associations of SPAN and the minimum between-individual variations associated with meaningfully lower all-cause mortality risk.

Methods: This prospective cohort analysis included 59,078 participants from the UK Biobank (median age: 64.

Changing User Experience of Wearable Activity Monitors Over 7 Years: Repeat Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Background: Lifestyle behaviors, including physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, poor sleep, and unhealthy diet, significantly impact global population health. Wearable activity trackers (WATs) have emerged as tools to enhance health behaviors; however, their effectiveness and continued use depend on their user experience.

Objective: This study aims to explore changes in user experiences, preferences, and perceived impacts of WATs from 2016 to 2023.

Effects of cold-water immersion on health and wellbeing: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cold-water immersion (CWI) has gained popularity as a health and wellbeing intervention among the general population.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the psychological, cognitive, and physiological effects of CWI in healthy adults.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomized trials involving healthy adults aged ≥ 18 years undergoing acute or long-term CWI exposure via cold shower, ice bath, or plunge with water temperature ≤15°C for at least 30 seconds.

When and Why Adults Abandon Lifestyle Behavior and Mental Health Mobile Apps: Scoping Review.

Background: With 1 in 3 adults globally living with chronic conditions and the rise in smartphone ownership, mobile health apps have become a prominent tool for managing lifestyle-related health behaviors and mental health. However, high rates of app abandonment pose challenges to their effectiveness.

Objective: We explored the abandonment of apps used for managing physical activity, diet, alcohol, smoking, and mental health in free-living conditions, examining the duration of app use before abandonment and the underlying reasons.

Time to Form a Habit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Health Behaviour Habit Formation and Its Determinants.

Healthy lifestyles depend on forming crucial habits through the process of habit formation, emphasising the need to establish positive habits and break negative ones for lasting behaviour changes. This systematic review aims to explore the time required for developing health-related habits. Six databases (Scopus, PsychINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline and PubMed) were searched to identify experimental intervention studies assessing self-report habit or automaticity questionnaires (e.

Setting the game plan: an international Delphi study on evaluating a population-wide youth sports financial incentive.

Background: Children and adolescents' physical inactivity is a global problem. Financial incentives are increasingly utilised to support children's participation in sport, with programs introduced in multiple jurisdictions globally, however few programs have comprehensive evaluations. This study used a Delphi methodology to develop evaluation recommendations for an existing population-wide financial incentive program based in South Australia.

Health effects of children's summer holiday programs: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Unfavourable changes occur in children's health behaviours and outcomes during the summer holidays. This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of summer holiday programs in mitigating these changes.

Methods: Six databases (MEDLINE, JBI, PsychINFO, Embase, ERIC and Scopus) were systematically searched for experimental controlled studies that investigated programs of at least 5 days' duration conducted exclusively during the summer holiday period on school-aged children (5-18 years).

Keep on truckin': how effective are health behaviour interventions on truck drivers' health? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Truck drivers are a vital workforce, but have higher rates of obesity and other chronic diseases than the general population. The occupation's sedentary nature, limited physical activity opportunities and access to healthy food, and irregular sleeping patterns contribute to poor health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions on health behaviours and cardiometabolic biomarkers of health in truck drivers.

Perceptions and expectations of an artificially intelligent physical activity digital assistant - A focus group study.

Artificially intelligent physical activity digital assistants that use the full spectrum of machine learning capabilities have not yet been developed and examined. This study aimed to explore potential users' perceptions and expectations of using such a digital assistant. Six 90-min online focus group meetings (n = 45 adults) were conducted.