Health Promotion for Senior Citizens via a Digital Exercise Programme
Fitness Trackers and Fitness Apps have rapidly gained popularity during the last five years. As part of our research focus on assistive technology, project „New Generation“ investigates, how smart phone appliances can contribute to health promotion for elderly persons by increasing physical activity levels. According to WHO recommendations, older adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week.
Fitness Trackers and Fitness Apps have rapidly gained popularity during the last five years. As part of our research focus on assistive technology, project „New Generation“ investigates, how smart phone appliances can contribute to health promotion for elderly persons by increasing physical activity levels. According to WHO recommendations, older adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week. A large proportion of this age group does not achieve the recommended amount. Many adolescents and young adults enjoy documenting their physical activities via fitness trackers and sharing the results on social media. Several studies have shown that using these appliances can help increase activity levels. Our Project „New Generation“ tries to find new ways of encouraging elderly people to exercise by using health promoting smart phone apps. At the moment most of the available apps are not easily accessible for seniors with limited technology experience and/or physical disabilities. A thorough research of the literature revealed three main topics of investigation: motivation and adherence to exercise programmes, muscle strength and balance. Students from our undergraduate physiotherapy programme joined the team as junior researchers to help develop evidence-based assessments and exercise programmes tailored towards the possibility for use in a smart phone application.
In this ongoing research project, we have so far identified inhibitors and facilitators of physical activities in the elderly. We found evidence that strength and balance ability are among the most influential factors for the physical wellbeing, independence and health of elderly people. Pre-tests of the assessments and exercise programme with a small sample revealed that they seem feasible and safe. The programme includes features designed towards improving adherence, like regular reminders, feedback and rewards for achieving goals.
Our results so far point towards smart phone applications being an effective and feasible tool for health promotion in an older population. Further research is needed to determine the effects of the proposed exercise programme.
- Project team: Elke Neuhold M.A., Silvia Nowotny, MSc
- Partner: emporia Telecom GmbH & Co. KG
Elke Neuhold MA
Academic Staff, Media didactics coordination
