Effects of Augmented-Reality-Based Exercise on Muscle Parameters, Physical Performance, and Exercise Self-Efficacy for Older Adults

Abstract

This study was intended to determine the applicability of an augmented-reality-based muscle reduction prevention exercise program for elderly Korean women by observing changes in exercise self-efficacy and verifying the effectiveness of the program in the elderly after the application of the program. A total of 27 participants, who were elderly women aged 65+ and had not participated in any exercise programs until this study, were recruited for this study. They were divided into an experimental group (13 people) and a control group (14 people), and then the augmented-reality-based muscle reduction prevention exercise program was applied. This was a 30-min program, which included regular, aerobic, and flexibility exercises, and it was applied 5 times a week for 12 weeks. As a result of observing changes, it was found that the appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) (F = 11.222, p < 0.002) and the skeletal muscle index (SMI) (kg/m2) (F = 10.874, p < 0.003) muscle parameters increased more in the experimental group compared to the control group, and there was a significant increase in gait speed (m/s) (F = 7.221, p < 0.005). For physical performance, as a result of conducting the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), a significant change was observed in the chair stand test (F = 5.110, p < 0.033), 2-min step test (2MST) (F = 6.621, p < 0.020), and the timed up-and-go test (TUG) (F = 5.110, p < 0.032) and a significant increase was also observed for exercise self-efficacy (F = 20.464, p < 0.001). Finally, the augmented-reality-based exercise program in this study was found to be effective in inducing physical activity in the elderly. Therefore, the augmented-reality-based muscle reduction prevention exercise program is considered to be effective in increasing the sustainability of exercise, thus preventing muscle reduction in the elderly.

Ambient assisted living technology‐mediated interventions for older people and their informal carers in the context of healthy ageing: A scoping review

“…18% (n = 15) of the studies described interventions promoting physical fitness among older participants 26‐40 . The interventions were aimed at preventing falls or further decline among older people due to frailty, sarcopenia, multiple chronic conditions, or cancer by means of improving balance, strength, and physical capacity.…”

“…The interventions were aimed at preventing falls or further decline among older people due to frailty, sarcopenia, multiple chronic conditions, or cancer by means of improving balance, strength, and physical capacity. The interventions used gaming technology with motion capture cameras, 28,29,31‐38 virtual reality software 39 a web‐based platform, 30 telehealth and videoconference 26,40 an app on a tablet, 27 and robot‐mediated exercise 36 …”

“…All but one study 39 used a quantitative design. Of these, seven were RCTs 29‐32,34‐36 . One study used strong control, that is, comparing the intervention to group‐based exercise 35 whilst Hong et al 30 and Gomes et al 29 provided education and guidance to all participants but did not offer actual exercise to the control group.…”

“…18% (n = 15) of the studies described interventions promoting physical fitness among older participants. [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] The interventions were aimed at preventing falls or further decline among older people due to frailty, sarcopenia, multiple chronic conditions, or cancer by means of improving balance, strength, and physical capacity. The interventions used gaming technology with motion capture cameras, 28,29,[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] Records identified through database search (n = 6502)…”

“…Of these, seven were RCTs. [29][30][31][32][34][35][36] One study used strong control, that is, comparing the intervention to groupbased exercise 35 whilst Hong et al 30 Interventions used robotic pets, 41,43,45,[48][49][50] social robots, 44 tablets for apps or videos, 46,47,54 videoconferences (Van der 53 ), virtual reality technology, 42,51,52 and light therapy. 55 Study duration was 4 months or shorter, except Chu et al 44 who followed up after 5 years.…”