Author(s): XIANG, F., MENGYAO, S., Institution: SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 703

Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles remain major global public health challenges, increasingly associated not only with cardiometabolic diseases but also with poorer psychological well-being and cognitive decline. In this context, exercise snacks—a novel approach to increasing physical activity by reducing time- and access-related barriers—have emerged as a pragmatic strategy to promote exercise participation. While recent reviews have primarily focused on the physiological effects of exercise snacks, evidence concerning psychological and cognitive outcomes has not been comprehensively synthesized. This scoping review aimed to characterize exercise snacks and summarize their effects on psychological well-being and cognitive function in adults.
We searched English-language electronic databases from inception to December 31, 2025, for both ongoing and published studies on exercise snacks. Studies were included if they involved adults, investigated exercise snacks, and reported at least one psychological or cognitive outcome. Experimental, observational, and qualitative studies examining the psychological and/or cognitive effects of exercise snacks, or describing barriers to and facilitators of this approach, were eligible. A total of 12 studies were included, with protocols typically involving brief bouts of activity performed either as single sessions or repeated throughout the day.
In conclusion, exercise snacks appear feasible and demonstrate promising psychological and cognitive benefits. However, evidence for sustained improvements in broader psychological well-being and longer-term cognitive effects remains limited. The current evidence is constrained by heterogeneous definitions, small sample sizes, a predominance of acute study designs, and inconsistent outcome measures. Future research should prioritize standardized definitions and reporting, longer-term trials in diverse populations, and mechanistic investigations to determine the real-world effectiveness of exercise snacks for psychological and cognitive health. This emerging physical activity approach may hold particular appeal for individuals who find structured exercise impractical.