ABSTRACT
ObjectivesTo investigate whether and how PA tracker application use supports PA behavior among older adults during the first 24 months of use. Methods: The changes in PA levels (i.e., time spent in different PA intensities) and between PA categories (i.e., low, moderate, or high based on total PA) were examined between three different time points: before taking the application into use (t0), after 12 months of use (t1), and after 24 months of use (t2). The data was collected by using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire modified for the elderly (IPAQ-E). Results: A statistically significant increase was observed in walking (χ2 (2) = 29.741, p < .001), moderate PA (χ2 (2) = 6.327, p = .042), and total PA levels (χ2 (2) = 11.489, p = .003). The increase was observed between t0 and t1 as well as between t0 and t2. The overall changes between PA categories were statistically significant between t0 and t1 (χ2 (3) = 15.789, p = .001) as well as between t0 and t2 (χ2 (3) = 14.745, p = .002). There were more increasingly active (moved to a higher PA category) than decreasingly active (moved to a lower PA category) participants. Discussion: Overall, the results indicate that PA tracker application use can promote PA behavior among older adults. Stakeholders that work with PA programs and PA promotion, as well as individual users, can utilize digital wellness technologies in supporting PA promotion, especially in exceptional times, like the COVID-19 pandemic, when health care restrictions prevent general gatherings.
ABSTRACT
With the growth of aging societies, the health of the elderly is considered one of the critical issues. Regular physical activity is linked to improving physical and mental functions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to motivate the elderly to be physically active. The self-monitoring of physical activity may positively impact the awareness of exercise and health and increase activity levels. In this study, we conducted a 12-week trial with thirty Japanese elderly to investigate the effects of self-monitoring on their attitudes, awareness, and activity levels. During the trial, the participants wore activity trackers daily and responded to repeated questionnaires weekly. The Covid-19 pandemic has begun to appear a few weeks after starting this trial. Therefore, we explored the impact of this pandemic on the participants' activity and psychological status. Overall, the participants increased their perception of the benefits of self-monitoring and willingness to check the activity tracker's feedback. Despite there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the participant number of steps due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the percentage of reduction was small (11%). The self-monitoring of activity may help the elderly maintain activity level during the pandemic. Furthermore, the participants agreed with the importance of monitoring physical activity and the necessity to maintain activity level during the Covid-19 pandemic. © 2021 Association for Computing Machinery. All rights reserved.