Effects of an Information and Communication Technology-Based Fitness Program on Strength and Balance in Female Home Care Service Users

Abstract

There is evidence that training for strength and balance prevents decline in physical function in old age when the training is personally instructed. It is an open question whether interventions that deliver training via up-to-date technologies can achieve long-term effects. This study examined the effects of an 8-month fitness training program delivered via information and communication technology (ICT) on lower-body strength and balance in female home care users (n = 72) aged 75 years on average. For statistical analysis, the test group was divided into two subgroups, one who used the program at least 8 times per month (n = 26) and another one who used the program less often (n = 17) compared with a control group that received no exercise program (n = 29). It was found that regular ICT-exercisers exhibited positive effects over time on lower-body strength and balance compared to a decrease in both indicators in irregular exercisers and the control group. The authors see potential in offering exercise programs to people of advanced age via ICT to counteract physical decline in old age.

Effects of an App-Based Physical Exercise Program on Selected Parameters of Physical Fitness of Females in Retirement: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Given that the duration of the intervention is an important factor contributing to its success (Silva et al, 2014), the short intervention duration of 14 weeks could be another potential confounder. Lastly, our findings can be only generalized to the group of very fit women over 60 years of age, whereas the effects might be even more pronounced in older and/or less fit participants given the promising findings of another study in the group of frail older adults (Jungreitmayr et al, 2021).…”

“…At first glance, these results are unexpected, as the exercise program was aligned with current recommendations (Garber et al, 2011;Cadore et al, 2014;Fragala et al, 2019;Izquierdo et al, 2021) and contained all the necessary stimuli, such as training in repetition ranges from 8 to 12, fast movements and recommended training intensities from moderate to demanding, all which were found to produce positive effects on physical fitness, as well as its components, in older adults (Bemben et al, 2000;Hunter et al, 2001;Kalapotharakos et al, 2005;Richardson et al, 2019;Herda et al, 2020). Furthermore, the usage data also show that the exercise frequency was well within in a range that should be able to produce effects, since even one or two sessions per week have been proven able to do this (Taaffe et al, 1999;Richardson et al, 2019;Jungreitmayr et al, 2021;Stojanović et al, 2021). While neither the frequency of use nor the composition of the program can be considered a reason for the lack of effect on lower body strength and handgrip strength, the testing procedure itself as well as the uncertainty whether the participants have reached the appropriate exercise intensity (due to the unsupervised mode of the exercise program) remain possible reasons for these results.…”

“…To achieve a positive effect on muscle strength, and balance with physical exercise programs, a training frequency of 2–3 times per week is recommended ( Nakamura et al, 2007 ; Carneiro et al, 2015 ; Jungreitmayr et al, 2021 ; Stojanović et al, 2021 ). However, improved overall physical fitness tends to show with higher training frequency ( Nakamura et al, 2007 ; Yang et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Additionally, there is preliminary evidence suggesting that unsupervised programs delivered using digital technologies (e.g., virtual reality, smartphone, or tablet apps) may have an impact on physical fitness in people of older age. ( Van Het Reve et al, 2014 ; Park and Yim, 2016 ; Neumann et al, 2018 ; Yerrakalva et al, 2019 ; Gao et al, 2020 ; Van den Helder et al, 2020 ; Geraedts et al, 2021 ; Jungreitmayr et al, 2021 ; Netz et al, 2021 ). Findings point toward an promising but often not significant ( Yerrakalva et al, 2019 ; Van den Helder et al, 2020 ; Geraedts et al, 2021 ), increase in lower body strength, balance, and flexibility, whereas others show significant effects on these markers ( Van Het Reve et al, 2014 ; Park and Yim, 2016 ; Neumann et al, 2018 ; Jungreitmayr et al, 2021 ; Netz et al, 2021 ).…”

“…( Van Het Reve et al, 2014 ; Park and Yim, 2016 ; Neumann et al, 2018 ; Yerrakalva et al, 2019 ; Gao et al, 2020 ; Van den Helder et al, 2020 ; Geraedts et al, 2021 ; Jungreitmayr et al, 2021 ; Netz et al, 2021 ). Findings point toward an promising but often not significant ( Yerrakalva et al, 2019 ; Van den Helder et al, 2020 ; Geraedts et al, 2021 ), increase in lower body strength, balance, and flexibility, whereas others show significant effects on these markers ( Van Het Reve et al, 2014 ; Park and Yim, 2016 ; Neumann et al, 2018 ; Jungreitmayr et al, 2021 ; Netz et al, 2021 ). In these studies, measurement of muscle strength, balance, and flexibility was mostly performed via stand-alone tests, such as chair rise ( Geraedts et al, 2021 ; Jungreitmayr et al, 2021 ; Netz et al, 2021 ) or uni-pedal stance ( Jungreitmayr et al, 2021 ; Netz et al, 2021 ), via short physical performance battery ( Van Het Reve et al, 2014 ; Treacy and Hassett, 2018 ; Van den Helder et al, 2020 ) or Senior Fitness Test, respectively, ( Rikli and Jones, 2013 ; Neumann et al, 2018 ).…”