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Ramalho A, Paulo R, Duarte-Mendes P, Serrano J, Petrica J. Age Unplugged: A Brief Narrative Review on the Intersection of Digital Tools, Sedentary and Physical Activity Behaviors in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:935. [PMID: 38727492 PMCID: PMC11083116 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12090935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This brief narrative review assesses how digital technologies-such as wearables, mobile health apps, and various digital tools such as computers, game consoles, tablets, smartphones, and extended reality systems-can influence sedentary and physical activity behaviors among community-dwelling older adults. Each section highlights the central role of these technologies in promoting active aging through increased motivation, engagement and customized experiences. It underlines the critical importance of functionality, usability and adaptability of devices and confirms the effectiveness of digital interventions in increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior. The sustainable impact of these technologies needs to be further investigated, with a focus on adapting digital health strategies to the specific needs of older people. The research advocates an interdisciplinary approach and points out that such collaborations are essential for the development of accessible, effective and ethical solutions. This perspective emphasizes the potential of digital tools to improve the health and well-being of the aging population and recommends their strategic integration into health promotion and policy making.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Ramalho
- Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal; (R.P.); (P.D.-M.); (J.S.); (J.P.)
- SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal
| | - Rui Paulo
- Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal; (R.P.); (P.D.-M.); (J.S.); (J.P.)
- SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal
| | - Pedro Duarte-Mendes
- Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal; (R.P.); (P.D.-M.); (J.S.); (J.P.)
- SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal
| | - João Serrano
- Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal; (R.P.); (P.D.-M.); (J.S.); (J.P.)
- SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal
| | - João Petrica
- Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal; (R.P.); (P.D.-M.); (J.S.); (J.P.)
- SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal
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Daniels K, Lemmens R, Knippenberg E, Marinus N, Vonck S, Baerts J, Bergs J, Spooren A, Hansen D, Bonnechère B. Promoting physical activity and a healthy active lifestyle in community-dwelling older adults: a design thinking approach for the development of a mobile health application. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1280941. [PMID: 38106904 PMCID: PMC10724027 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1280941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Physical activity (PA) has wide-ranging, and well documented benefits for older adults, encompassing physical, cognitive, and mental well-being. The World Health Organization advocates for a minimum of 150-300 min of moderate intensity PA per week, supplemented by muscle-strengthening exercises. However, the rates of PA among older adults remain a concern. While portable technologies hold promises in promoting PA, sustaining long-term engagement continues to be a challenge. Objective The aims of this study are to identify barriers and facilitators to PA in older adults, to develop an mHealth app promoting PA and an active healthy lifestyle in collaboration with community-dwelling older adults guided by the design thinking process, and to test it. Methods A co-creative process was used, employing design thinking. Interviews were conducted to understand the needs of the target population and identify the problem of insufficient PA. Two cocreation sessions involving older adults and experts were conducted to generate innovative ideas. Participants were selected based on age (≥65 years), no severe illness, Dutch language proficiency, and active participation ability. Results were qualitatively analyzed and coded. Finally a prototype was developed and tested. Results Interviews with older adults highlighted diverse perceptions of PA but unanimous agreement on its importance. They recognized health benefits such as improved mobility, balance, and reduced fall risk, while emphasizing the social and mental aspects. Barriers included poor health, time constraints, weather conditions and fear of falling. Cocreation sessions identified key topics: perception of a healthy lifestyle, coping strategies, mHealth App features, screen visualization, and tailored notifications, which led to the development of a mobile app promoting PA and an active lifestyle. The app was stepwise prototyped. Conclusion This study emphasizes the importance of promoting PA among older adults through a collaborative design thinking approach. However, the implementation of mHealth apps faces obstacles due to the digital divide, necessitating personalized solutions to bridge the gap. Moreover, it calls for further research to investigate the long-term impact of such interventions and explore behavior change patterns in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Daniels
- Department of PXL – Healthcare, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hasselt, Belgium
- REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Ryanne Lemmens
- Department of PXL – Healthcare, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Els Knippenberg
- Department of PXL – Healthcare, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Nastasia Marinus
- Department of PXL – Healthcare, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hasselt, Belgium
- REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sharona Vonck
- Department of PXL – Healthcare, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Jan Baerts
- Department of Digital, PXL University College of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Jochen Bergs
- Department of PXL – Healthcare, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hasselt, Belgium
- THINK3 Simulation & Innovation Lab, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Annemie Spooren
- Department of PXL – Healthcare, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hasselt, Belgium
- REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Dominique Hansen
- REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Bruno Bonnechère
- Department of PXL – Healthcare, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hasselt, Belgium
- REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Technology-Supported and Data-Driven Rehabilitation, Data Sciences Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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Pettersson B, Lundell S, Lundin-Olsson L, Sandlund M. 'Maintaining balance in life'-exploring older adults' long-term engagement in self-managed digital fall prevention exercise. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act 2023; 20:12. [PMID: 37464299 DOI: 10.1186/s11556-023-00322-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accidental falls are one of the greatest threats to older adults' health and well-being. The risk of falling can be significantly reduced with strength and balance interventions. However, there needs to be further knowledge into how older adults can be supported to achieve a maintained exercise behaviour. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore factors that enabled older adults to maintain their exercise during a 1-year self-managed digital fall prevention exercise intervention. METHODS This study used a grounded theory methodology. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted by phone or conference call. Eighteen community-dwelling older adults aged 70 years or more participated. The participants had a self-reported exercise dose of 60 min or more per week during the last three months of participation in a 12-months intervention of self-managed digital fall prevention exercise, the Safe Step randomized controlled trial. Open, axial, and selective coding, along with constant comparative analysis, was used to analyze the data. RESULTS The analysis resulted in a theoretical model. We found that the fall prevention exercise habits of adults were developed through three stages: Acting against threats to one's own identity, Coordinating strategies to establish a routine, and Forming habits through cues and evaluation. The main category of Maintaining balance in life encases the participants transition through the three stages and reflects balance in both physical aspects and in between activities in daily life. The process of maintaining balance in life and desire to do so were mediated both by intrinsic person-dependent factors and the Safe Step application acting as an external mediator. CONCLUSION This study identified three stages of how older adults developed self-managed fall prevention exercise habits, supported by a digital application. The generated theoretical model can inform future interventions aiming to support long-term engagement in digitally supported and self-managed fall prevention interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Pettersson
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Sara Lundell
- Department of Sociology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lillemor Lundin-Olsson
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Marlene Sandlund
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
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