Traditional exercise practices and technological innovations in promoting children’s physical activity and mental health

The field of pediatric physical and mental health is undergoing significant transformation due to a global decline in physical activity and rising sedentary behaviors among children. These patterns are closely linked to increased rates of obesity, diminished physical fitness, and a growing prevalence of mental health disorders. The introduction of wearable technology and digital monitoring tools has provided new, objective methods for measuring activity patterns, while structured exercise interventions - especially those rooted in cultural practices, such as martial arts or traditional Chinese medicine wellness routines - have emerged as promising strategies for improving health outcomes. Increasingly, research is highlighting the complex interplay among physical activity, physical fitness, mental health, and cultural factors; however, gaps remain in understanding how culturally specific interventions and modern technologies can be combined to promote holistic health in diverse pediatric populations.

This Research Topic aims to push the boundaries of knowledge on measuring, monitoring, and enhancing children’s physical fitness and mental health, with a deliberate emphasis on culturally relevant practices. By encouraging studies that validate the use of wearable technologies, evaluate the effectiveness of both traditional and culturally tailored exercise interventions, and explore the mechanisms linking these strategies to improved health, this initiative seeks to foster a more nuanced and effective approach to health promotion. Special attention is also given to interventions that reflect unique cultural traditions or country-specific models, such as martial arts, Taekwondo, yoga and capoeira.

The scope of this Research Topic encompasses empirical research and methodological advances relating to the assessment, monitoring, and intervention of children’s physical and mental health, integrating both technological and cultural dimensions. We welcome studies that investigate culturally tailored interventions, the use of innovative monitoring tools, and mechanisms underlying health improvements. Contributions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

o Validation and deployment of wearable technology for device based measures monitoring of children’s physical activity, sedentary time, sleep, and motor skills

o Evaluation of culturally grounded traditional exercise interventions for physical and mental health benefit

o Mechanistic insights into how physical activity and culture-specific practices affect children’s fitness and psychological well-being

o Psychosocial and behavioral approaches to promoting culturally sensitive, sustainable increases in activity among diverse child populations

o The integration of digital health tools and culturally responsive exercise programs in global pediatric health promotion

Keywords: Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Wearable Technology, Mental Well-being, Health Promotion, Traditional Exercise

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.