JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Unstructured physical activity integrates movement into everyday life rather than requiring dedicated exercise sessions and may provide a flexible alternative to structured exercise. Digital technologies may facilitate its integration into daily routines through self-monitoring, prompts, goal setting, feedback, and other behavior change support. However, evidence on digitally supported unstructured physical activity remains fragmented.

Objective:

This scoping review aimed to characterize digital technology–supported unstructured physical activity interventions for adults, examine their conceptualization, intervention and digital technology characteristics, and theoretical foundations, and synthesize evidence on effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability.

Methods:

This scoping review followed the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched from inception to September 1, 2026, supplemented by citation searching. Eligible studies involved adults and evaluated digitally supported physical activity integrated into daily routines without requiring a dedicated exercise session. Two reviewers independently screened studies and charted data. Descriptive statistics, descriptive content analysis, and narrative synthesis were used.

Results:

Thirty-eight records representing 33 distinct studies were included. Unstructured physical activity was categorized into lifestyle-integrated physical activity (n=17), walking (n=8), lifestyle-integrated functional exercise (n=5), and zero-time exercise (n=3). Most interventions combined digital technologies with human support (n=27). Digital technologies were used primarily to support self-regulation, knowledge and skills, professional and social support, and engagement and maintenance. Only 15 studies explicitly reported a theoretical framework, most commonly habit formation theory. Among 17 studies assessing effectiveness, favorable findings were most consistent for physical activity and sedentary behavior, whereas psychosocial, physical function and fitness, and clinical and physiological outcomes were more variable. Feasibility and acceptability were generally favorable, although declining adherence, technical difficulties, limited personalization, and poorly timed or intrusive prompts were reported.

Conclusions:

Digital technologies show promise for supporting the integration of unstructured physical activity into everyday life. Evidence is most encouraging for physical activity and sedentary behavior, with generally favorable feasibility and acceptability; however, evidence on broader health benefits and long-term maintenance remains limited and heterogeneous. Future research should clarify the conceptual and classification framework of unstructured physical activity, develop more personalized and context-sensitive digital interventions, identify optimal intervention components and activity doses, and evaluate sustained effectiveness using rigorous designs and longer follow-up.