scholarly journals Using Geocaching to Promote Active Aging: Qualitative Study

10.2196/15339 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e15339
Author(s):  
Silvia Fornasini ◽  
Marco Dianti ◽  
Alessandro Bacchiega ◽  
Stefano Forti ◽  
Diego Conforti
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Older People ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Senior Center ◽  
Organizational Network ◽  
Active Involvement

Background Over the past few years, the development of technologies supporting active aging has been increasing. Among the activities that promote physical exercise by using technologies is geocaching—a treasure hunt of sorts in which participants use a receiver GPS to hide or find real or virtual objects. Although this activity is particularly suited to the promotion of healthy lifestyles in older people, geocaching remains to be unexplored in this area. Objective This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of activities combining geocaching and self-tracking technologies to promote active aging, evaluate the usability of technologies, and explore the ways in which technologies have been integrated in the organizational context under examination to determine the user experience of participants. Methods A group of individuals aged 65 years and older (N=14) attending a senior center managed by a social cooperative was involved in the study. Some of them created the geocaching contents, and others, split into 2 teams, participated in the game. Each participant was given a pedometer bracelet and the geocaching app. The steps taken by individual participants along with the number of caches found by each group translated into team scores. Results The main results of the study were as follows: (1) activities in favor of active aging that involve the use of new technologies can foster the participation of elderly people; in particular, adding gamification to self-tracking can be a valid strategy to promote physical exercise among the elderly; (2) for this to happen, involvement of older people firsthand is crucial, and there must be a focus on their active involvement and empowerment in every phase of the project; and (3) the mediation of conflicts and competition that arise from the gamification could only take place because of the strong support of the organization in the form of social workers. Conclusions The results show that promoting active aging through technologies requires more effort than simply using these tools; it requires a wider process that involves an articulated organizational network with heterogeneous actors, technologies, and relations.

scholarly journals Using Geocaching to Promote Active Aging: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Fornasini ◽  
Marco Dianti ◽  
Alessandro Bacchiega ◽  
Stefano Forti ◽  
Diego Conforti
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Older People ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Senior Center ◽  
Organizational Network ◽  
Active Involvement

BACKGROUND Over the past few years, the development of technologies supporting active aging has been increasing. Among the activities that promote physical exercise by using technologies is geocaching—a treasure hunt of sorts in which participants use a receiver GPS to hide or find real or virtual objects. Although this activity is particularly suited to the promotion of healthy lifestyles in older people, geocaching remains to be unexplored in this area. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of activities combining geocaching and self-tracking technologies to promote active aging, evaluate the usability of technologies, and explore the ways in which technologies have been integrated in the organizational context under examination to determine the user experience of participants. METHODS A group of individuals aged 65 years and older (N=14) attending a senior center managed by a social cooperative was involved in the study. Some of them created the geocaching contents, and others, split into 2 teams, participated in the game. Each participant was given a pedometer bracelet and the geocaching app. The steps taken by individual participants along with the number of caches found by each group translated into team scores. RESULTS The main results of the study were as follows: (1) activities in favor of active aging that involve the use of new technologies can foster the participation of elderly people; in particular, adding gamification to self-tracking can be a valid strategy to promote physical exercise among the elderly; (2) for this to happen, involvement of older people firsthand is crucial, and there must be a focus on their active involvement and empowerment in every phase of the project; and (3) the mediation of conflicts and competition that arise from the gamification could only take place because of the strong support of the organization in the form of social workers. CONCLUSIONS The results show that promoting active aging through technologies requires more effort than simply using these tools; it requires a wider process that involves an articulated organizational network with heterogeneous actors, technologies, and relations.

scholarly journals Lack of Correlation between Accelerometers and Heart-Rate Monitorization during Exercise Session in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 5518
Author(s):  
Laura Carbonell-Hernández ◽  
Diego Pastor ◽  
Alejandro Jiménez-Loaisa ◽  
Juan Arturo Ballester-Ferrer ◽  
Carlos Montero-Carretero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Older People ◽  
The Other ◽  
Exercise Session ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Indispensable Tool ◽  
Highly Correlated

Aging is increasing worldwide; hence, aging-related health is also more relevant. Well-programmed physical exercise is now an indispensable tool to achieve active aging and preserve older people’s health. Such “well-programmed” exercise requires efficient and useful tools to measure the activity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of accelerometers to estimate two different intensities of physical exercise in older people. Thirty-eight subjects (64.5 ± 5.3 years) were measured during two different sessions of physical exercise: one moderate in intensity, the other of low intensity. Heart rate and accelerometry were recorded and analyzed. The results showed that the two variables in the physical exercise sessions were not highly correlated, and that accelerometry did not seem useful to assess low-intensity sessions not based on walking.

The Effects of a Program Combining Exercise and Music on Promoting Exercise Continuance and Psychological Factors in Older People

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Hiromi Sakai ◽  
Naoto Kamide ◽  
Masahiro Kohzuki
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Older People ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Dwelling Older People ◽  
Exercise Classes ◽  
Positive Effect

Physical exercise can have a positive effect on physical and cognitive functions in older people. However, the elderly often face difficulties in maintaining exercise routines. Music is reported to effectively improve the subjective experience of physical exercise’s intensity, execution, and enhanced capacity related to a sense of accomplishment. We aimed to investigate whether adding music to physical exercise promoted exercise continuance compared with physical exercise alone. The participants were 74 community-dwelling older people who independently maintained activities of daily living. They were either assigned to a music group (MG) or non-music group (NMG). Exercise classes were held once a week for 3 months. The number of times participants participated in the exercise classes, and the number of times they performed exercises at home was assessed. In addition, each participant completed a set of questionnaires assessing exercise self-efficacy (SE) and quality of life before and immediately after the 3-month intervention. After the 3-month intervention, the MG had a significantly higher frequency of participation in the exercise classes and a significantly higher exercise SE score compared with the NMG. Our results show that the combination of physical exercise and music was beneficial for exercise continuance and exercise SE compared with physical exercise alone. Keywords: music, exercise, continuance, exercise self-efficacy, independent                    older people. 

scholarly journals Research on Active Aging Learning and Satisfaction in the Elderly in the age of artificial intelligence

2020 ◽  
Vol 218 ◽  
pp. 02007
Author(s):  
Yen-Ni Tsai ◽  
Ming-Tsung Chen
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Older People ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Industrial Transformation ◽  
Significant Difference

At present, artificial intelligence has become an important driving force for a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Under the background of the increasingly significant trend of global population aging, it is an important issue to consider how to serve cognitive aging and geriatric linguistics research based on artificial intelligence technology to serve the transformation of the elderly from healthy aging, active aging to active aging. The research and application of artificial intelligence based geriatric linguistics and services for the aged include at least three fields: basic research on gerontology, detection of aging and diseases, and cognitive rehabilitation of aging language.This study explores the correlation between active aging learning and satisfaction among senior citizens. Taking the students from the Senior College of Central Taiwan as the research object, the Active Aging Learning and Satisfaction Questionnaire was used as the research tool. A total of 440 copies were sent out using a convenient sampling method. 400 questionnaires, deducted 20 incomplete questionnaires, effectively recovered 380 points, and the effective recovery rate was 86.36%. SPSS (Satistical Package for the Social Science) for Window statistical suite software was used as an analysis tool for descriptive statistics Data analysis was performed by statistical methods such as single factor variation analysis, regression analysis, item analysis, and factor analysis. The results of statistical analysis show that there is a significant difference in active aging learning and satisfaction among older people. In addition, research has found that the relationship between active aging learning and satisfaction has predictive power. Based on preliminary research, researchers have found that active aging learning has an effect on improving the satisfaction of older people, and makes relevant suggestions for future research and teaching units.

scholarly journals Online gerontechnological resources analysis for active aging

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Cristina Díaz-Prieto ◽  
Jesús Nicasio García-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Areas Of Interest

Gerontechnology has become a new field of interest in aging, showing the potential of these new tools to promote the well-being of the elderly and active aging. Although few studies have focused on analyzing the online resources available for this purpose. Here, we identify and analyze the online resources focused on some of the main areas of interest in active aging, according to its main characteristics, as well as aspects of accessibility, use and quality, with special emphasis on those resources aimed specifically at older people. We identified and coded 557 links. These links are focused on 7 dimensions of active aging. Descriptive and multivariate analyses show a lack of online resources aimed specifically at older people, especially in relation to psychosocial and emotional variables. We have found significant limitations of accessibility, use and quality of resources. We conclude on the need for greater involvement institutional, social and scientific to maximize the possibilities offered by the Internet and to overcome the limitations found and that might serve as some of the causes of the generational digital divide existing.

scholarly journals La universidad, educadora permanente: el aula abierta de mayores = The University, Permanet Educator: The Elderly’s Open Room

2018 ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Pilar Moreno-Crespo ◽  
Esther Prieto-Jiménez ◽  
Mª Victoria Pérez-de-Guzmán
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older People ◽  
Lifelong Learning ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Intergenerational Relationships ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Calidad De Vida ◽  
The University

Resumen: El objetivo de este artículo es ofrecer una introducción sobre el proceso de envejecimiento, aclarar las diversas concepciones y teorías desde las que podemos abordar el análisis del envejecimiento, estudiar los conceptos de calidad de vida y envejecimiento activo, así como la relación que se mantiene entre calidad de vida, envejecimiento activo y educación permanente. En este sentido profundizamos en los programas universitarios para personas mayores como ejemplo práctico de intervención socioeducativa orientada al envejecimiento activo. Igualmente analizamos el caso concreto del Aula Abierta de Mayores de la Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Dicho programa consta de la versatilidad suficiente para adaptarse a las necesidades socioeducativas de los adultos mayores que son protagonistas de su propio aprendizaje. Se crean espacios de aprendizaje y vivencias, que propician las relaciones intergeneracionales.Abstract: The objective of this article is to offer an introduction about the aging process, to clarify the different conceptions, theories and ages from which we can approach the analysis of aging, to study the concepts of quality of life and active aging, as well as the relation that is maintained between quality of life, active aging and lifelong learning. In this sense, we deepen the university programs for older people as a practical example of socio-educational intervention oriented to active aging. We also analyze the specific case of the Elderly’s Open Room of the Pablo de Olavide University. This program has the versatility enough to adapt to the socio-educational needs of the elderly who are protagonists of their own learning. They create spaces of learning and experiences, which foster intergenerational relationships.

scholarly journals Older Adults and the Digital World (by Results of Empirical Research)

2020 ◽  
pp. 333-356
Author(s):  
Olga N. Doudchenko ◽  
◽  
Anna V. Mytil ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Digital Culture ◽  
Technology Industry ◽  
Digital World ◽  
New Information

In recent years, older people have repeatedly found themselves in the focus of public attention both as a subject of social policy and as a socio-demographic group that can exert an increasing influence on the development of various areas of the economy. It would seem that the constantly increasing number of this group (in 2019, the share of older people aged 60 years and older was 22% in Russia) should attract the attention of representatives of end-user-oriented industries. However, according to data from domestic and foreign studies, the most rapidly developing IT-technology industry still does not consider the elderly as an attractive market segment. This may be one of the reasons for the chronic gap in the level of digital culture and digital capital resources between older people and representatives of other age groups. At the same time, the events of the last year — the coronavirus epidemic — have clearly shown that the possession of new information technologies by older people is necessary not only to ensure their social inclusion, improve the quality of life, but also to preserve life in the literal sense of the word. In this article, we would like to consider, including on the basis of our research, what are the main barriers to the development of new technologies by older people, what measures can be taken to make older people more active “users”, a more attractive segment for the developer market.

scholarly journals Immersive Virtual Reality Exergame Promotes the Practice of Physical Activity in Older People: An Opportunity during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Pablo Campo-Prieto ◽  
Gustavo Rodríguez-Fuentes ◽  
José Mª Cancela-Carral
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Older People ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
The Impact

Life expectancy has increased in recent years. Physical activity has been postulated as a key element in active aging strategies. However, adherence to physical exercise programs has traditionally been low among the elderly, and the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has added extra impediments. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) devices could motivate this population to practice exercise. This study aimed to analyse the use of IVR exergames as a tool to facilitate physical exercise in older people. Four healthy older adults (males, 65–77 years) participated in the study. They carried out two exergaming sessions with HTC Vive ProTM. Outcomes were evaluated using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), System Usability Scale (SUS), Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ post-game module), an ad hoc satisfaction questionnaire, and perceived effort. All participants completed the sessions without adverse effects, with no SSQ symptoms reported. SUS scores were high in both sessions (SUS > 85/100). Post-game GEQ scores were 3.08–3.41/4 (positive experiences) and 0.08–0.16/4 (negative experiences). Opinions showed high levels of satisfaction with the experience. Exergaming programs, based on commercial head-mounted displays, are a feasible alternative to traditional senior exercise, and could be a solution to the current situation that has arisen from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aplicaciones móviles para personas mayores: un estudio sobre su estrategia actual / Mobile applications for the elderly: a study of their current strategy

Aula Abierta ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina González Oñate ◽  
Carlos Fanjul Peyró
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Nuevas Tecnologías ◽  
Motivation Strategy ◽  
The Media ◽  
Level Of Knowledge

RESUMENEspaña es una de las sociedades occidentales con un mayor colectivo envejecido. A su vez, es un país en el que existe un alto desarrollo de las tecnologías. Esta es la doble cara de una situación resultante que ha provocado una gran brecha digital entre las personas mayores y el uso de las tecnologías de la información. Este trabajo analiza los principales hábitos de uso y consumo de las aplicaciones móviles que están destinadas a personas mayores pero, sobre todo, el nivel de conocimiento y preparación que tienen sobre las mismas. La finalidad es comprobar si la competencia mediática en materia tecnológica de nuestros mayores es la adecuada respecto a la oferta concreta actual. Para ello, se ha utilizado una metodología basada en encuestas de elaboración propia y realizadas a la población española en las que se retratan tanto el conocimiento de las principales aplicaciones para personas mayores, los hábitos de uso y consumo, así como el interés o no por parte de los mayores en la formación en nuevas tecnologías para realizar un mayor uso de este tipo de aplicaciones destinadas a ellos.Palabras Clave: Aplicaciones móviles, conocimiento, motivación, estrategia.ABSTRACTSpain is one of the western societies with a greater aged collective. In turn, it is a country in which there is a high development of technologies. This is the double face of a resulting situation that has caused a large digital divide between older people and the use of information technologies. This paper analyzes the main habits of use and consumption of mobile applications that are aimed at older people but, above all, the level of knowledge and preparation they have on them. The purpose is to check if the media competence in technological matters of our elders is adequate with respect to the current concrete offer. For this purpose, a methodology based on self-prepared surveys has been used and made to the Spanish population in which both the knowledge of the main applications for older people, the habits of use and consumption, as well as the interest or not in part of the majors in the formation in new technologies to realize a greater use of this type of applications destined to them.Keywords: Mobile applications, knowledge, motivation, strategy.

scholarly journals CREATIVITY BASED ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN DESIGN OF AGE-FRIENDLY CITIES: POLISH SENIORS ABOUT THEIR NEEDS – RESEARCH REFLECTION

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 218-234
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Dutka ◽  
Grzegorz Gawron ◽  
Paulina Rojek-Adamek
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Creative Solutions ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Spatial Exclusion ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Global And Local

The identified changes in age structure on a global and local scale pose a major challenge for modern societies. And so, the issue of adapting urban spaces to the needs of older people has become of particular interest. But the intensity of changes requires a creative approach to this matter. One of the responses to this phenomenon has been the World Health Organization proposal to build age-friendly cities and communities. It details how to effectively reduce social and spatial exclusion experienced by older people. Importantly, the needs of the elderly are increasingly being taken into consideration during the design process. This article provides the theoretical explanation of the issues related to the creative solutions based on new technologies in the perspective of building an age-friendly city. The empirical section presents selected survey results conducted among Polish seniors which focus on three main aspects of new technologies: the current importance for seniors; the current state of solutions in the city; the predicted importance in the future.

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