Mapping the Scientific Landscape of Physical Activity Apps for Youth: A Scoping Review Protocol on Design, Impact, and Implementation

Background: Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases, and over 80% of adolescents fail to meet global physical activity recommendations. Mobile apps offer a promising avenue to promote physical activity among young people, leveraging features such as self-monitoring, gamification, and real-time feedback. Despite their potential, most apps lack scientific validation and face challenges in sustaining user engagement and widespread implementation.Objective: This scoping review aims to identify evidence-based physical activity apps for individuals aged 10 to 24 years. The review will assess app design, effectiveness, and implementation while identifying research gaps to guide future development.Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search will be conducted in Medline ALL, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL Plus. Eligible studies will include those targeting the design, implementation, or effectiveness of physical activity apps for youth. Data extraction will encompass app features, theoretical frameworks, behavior change strategies, outcomes, and implementation barriers and facilitators. The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) will be employed to assess app quality. The risk of bias and evidence quality will be evaluated.Results: The findings will map the landscape of available apps, categorizing them by effectiveness, design, and implementation. A database of evidence-based physical activity apps will be developed, facilitating collaboration among researchers, developers, and stakeholders.Conclusion: This scoping review will enhance understanding of mobile app-based interventions for promoting physical activity among youth and inform evidence-based strategies for app development and implementation.