Physical Activity Tracker Application in Promoting Physical Activity Behavior among Older Adults: A 24-month...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Older adults often experience declines in physical activity (PA).
• Digital wellness technologies offer potential solutions for promoting PA in this demographic.
• Sustained engagement with PA interventions is crucial for long-term health benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of PA tracker application use on PA behavior in older adults.
• To examine changes in PA levels and categories over a 24-month period.
• To determine the long-term effectiveness of digital PA tracking tools.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study design tracking participants over 24 months.
• Utilized the International Physical Activity Questionnaire modified for the elderly (IPAQ-E) for data collection.
• Compared PA levels (intensity and total) at baseline (t0), 12 months (t1), and 24 months (t2).

Main Results:

• Statistically significant increases in walking, moderate PA, and total PA were observed between t0 and t1, and t0 and t2.
• Significant shifts in PA categories (low, moderate, high) occurred, with more participants becoming increasingly active.
• The PA tracker application demonstrated a positive effect on promoting sustained PA behavior.

Conclusions:

• PA tracker application use is an effective strategy for promoting and sustaining PA behavior among older adults.
• Digital wellness technologies can be valuable tools for PA promotion programs, especially during public health crises.
• Findings support the integration of digital health solutions into geriatric PA interventions.