Implementation Science of Technology Application in Promoting Physical Activity and Health

It takes an average of 17 years for research evidence to be integrated into real-world settings ( Morris et al., 2011 ). The field of dissemination and implementation (D&I) science aims to close this gap by providing rigorous scientific methodology to speed up the process of translating research into practice. Within the Translational Research Cycle, there are several translational, or “T,” stages; D&I research falls under T3 (see Figure 16.1 ) to translate guidelines and evidence-based interventions into practice ( West-fall et al., 2007 ). There are several emerging technologies that have been applied to promote physical activity (PA) and health, including mobile device applications, wearable devices, and exergaming, among others ( Gao & Lee, 2019 ). Research on emerging technologies to improve PA and health continues to grow. For example, a systematic review published in 2025 evaluated the effectiveness, roles, and implementation strategies of “technology-infused” PA interventions in K-12 school settings and included 58 studies that met inclusion criteria ( Ha, Moon, et al., 2025 ). Results indicated that the majority of interventions were effective at promoting PA levels; however, effectiveness varied by technology type (e.g., accelerometer, web-based platform, activity tracker, mobile app, etc.), how the technology was applied in the study (e.g., as a measurement tool, a central focus of the intervention, or educational tool, etc.), and context (e.g., classroom, physical education, home or online, etc.) ( Ha, Moon, et al., 2025 ). A clear gap in the field is the need to translate these findings into effective practices and policy changes.