Exercise Apps Fall Short of Meeting Needs of Older Adults, Study Finds
In today's world, where staying active is crucial for healthy aging, a team of researchers, led by physiotherapist Luis Soto from the Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili health complex, collaborated with digital health experts at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) to assess exercise mobile applications available on popular app stores. Their goal was to evaluate the suitability of these apps for prescribing physical exercise online and to determine if they cater to the specific needs of older adults.
Their findings, published in the journal Age and Ageing, shed light on the shortcomings of existing exercise apps in meeting the requirements of older users.
Soto emphasized the importance of physical activity, highlighting the need for strength exercises and the reduction of sedentary behavior among older adults. While acknowledging the benefits of exercise, he stressed the importance of tailoring exercise prescriptions to individual needs, including factors like intensity, volume, frequency, and progression.
The study, a systematic review published by the British Geriatrics Society, stands out for its approach. Unlike traditional reviews that rely solely on scientific databases, this study examined apps available on popular app marketplaces, offering insights into apps commonly used by people.
The researchers evaluated 15 exercise apps from over 8,000 available on Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store. These apps were selected based on specific criteria, including popularity, relevance to older adults, recent updates, language, and inclusivity.
Despite the large number of available apps, the study revealed a limited selection catering to older adults, with none adequately addressing cognitive needs. The researchers emphasized the importance of creating apps that are simple, intuitive, and tailored to the needs of older users. They stressed the necessity of involving older adults in the app development process to ensure usability and effectiveness.
While acknowledging the potential of technology to support health goals, the researchers emphasized the need for rigorous evaluation of exercise apps. Their study aimed to provide qualitative insights into apps that healthcare professionals could use to prescribe exercise for frail older adults, taking into account both scientific evidence and user perspectives.
In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of developing user-friendly exercise apps tailored to the unique needs of older adults, ultimately empowering them to lead healthier, more active lives.