Physical exercise is a vital factor in aging well and maintaining health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), older adults should engage in 150 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity per week. However, a quarter of them fail to reach this level. While exercise apps have the potential to promote movement, provide suggestions for activities, and track training data, researchers from the Open University of Catalonia (UOC) and the Pere Virgili Health Park have found that this technology does not meet the needs of older adults.
The study, published last December in the journal Age and Ageing by the British Geriatrics Society, found only one of the 15 apps examined to be truly useful. Vivifrail, designed for both self-use and prescription by healthcare professionals, aligned with the researchers’ requirements. It is evidence-based, tailored to the content and usability needs of older adults, does not require professional prescription, is free, accommodates all user types, allows for progression, and provides information in both written and audiovisual formats.
Challenges and Obstacles
Limited availability is not the only obstacle. It’s essential to consider that many older adults lack digital literacy and do not have smartphones, making these tools inaccessible to them. The article acknowledges that many apps targeting older adults do not meet their needs. Simple tasks like requiring registration can be a significant barrier, as many older adults may not even have an email address to complete it.
Designing Apps for Older Adults
The study emphasizes that apps for older adults should be simple, intuitive, and focused on their needs. Customization is crucial, as highlighted by Carme Carrión, one of the authors of the study and a researcher at the UOC’s eHealth Center. It’s necessary to adapt to their needs and capabilities within the realm of physical activity. David Rodriguez-Ruiz, coordinator of the Elderly Physical Exercise Group of the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SEGG), underscores the lack of current apps in addressing this aspect, emphasizing the need for individual evaluation of each user.
Accessibility and Adaptability
Apps should allow for various adaptations, such as increasing font size, button size, and icons for older adults with visual impairments, as mentioned by geriatrician Nicolás González from the Gregorio Marañón Hospital in Madrid. Additionally, they should offer multiple activity options to cater to users’ preferences and motivations. Involving older adults in the creation, development, and implementation processes of exercise apps is crucial, according to Carrión. Users need to be heard, and their needs addressed as much as possible.
Supervision and Support
While apps provide autonomy, experts stress the importance of professional supervision. Users register their progress and exercise adherence, but it’s crucial for a sports science or medical professional to oversee the process. Antonio Clavero, a predoctoral researcher and lecturer at the University of Granada (UGR), suggests that apps should facilitate direct contact between older adults and specialists to address any queries. According to González, specialists in physical activity and sports are the most suitable for this role, given their expertise in the field.
Hybrid Approach to Intervention
Carrión suggests a hybrid approach, combining group sessions led by professionals with app use during individual sessions or when professionals are unavailable. This approach not only improves exercise adherence but also fosters social interaction, combating unwanted loneliness, which can significantly impact the quality of life and mortality rates among older adults.
Training and Support for Professionals
Professional training and support are crucial for prescribing exercise apps to older adults. Carrión emphasizes the importance of involving professionals in the process to ensure proper utilization and application of these services. With the evolving generation, more older adults are becoming technologically savvy, making it easier for them to use these services.
Addressing the Digital Divide
While acknowledging the digital age gap, Carrión believes that these apps can directly impact the quality of life of older adults by reducing sedentary behavior. Clavero suggests starting with simpler methods, such as activity trackers and heart rate monitors, for older adults who are not familiar with smartphones or tablets.
Conclusion
Exercise apps have the potential to revolutionize how older adults engage in physical activity, provided they are tailored to their needs, user-friendly, and supported by professionals. By addressing accessibility, adaptability, and supervision, these apps can significantly improve the quality of life and health outcomes for older adults. Collaboration between researchers, developers, healthcare professionals, and older adults themselves is crucial in creating effective exercise apps that promote healthy aging and well-being.