Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Attitudes of older adults towards a blended exercise program
Mehra, Sumit
Publication date 2016
Document Version Final published version
Link to publication
Citation for published version (APA):
Mehra, S. (2016). Attitudes of older adults towards a blended exercise program. Poster session presented at Supporting Health by Technology VII, Groningen, Netherlands.
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Download date:27 Nov 2021
Sumit Mehra
s.mehra@hva.nl
www.digitallifecentre.nl Background: Meer Bewegen voor Ouderen is a Dutch umbrella organization that aims to improve the
physical, social and psychological wellbeing of senior citizens. Weekly 300,000 older adults participate nationwide in community based ‘gym classes’. In order to achieve the recommended amount of physical activity, the participants are stimulated to repeat the exercises outside the classroom.
Aims. As part of the VITAMINE project a qualitative study was conducted in order to determine a) the motivation of the participants to join the weekly classes b) the current level of physical activity outside the classes c) the susceptibility to an additional exercise program for the home environment and d) attitudes towards technology to support such a complementary exercise program.
Method. Seven focus groups were conducted with an average of 6 participants. During the focus groups a semi-structured interview and brainstorming session was held. The focus groups lasted approximately 1.5 hours. In total 41 older adults (M=74 years old, SD=9) participated in the study. The results were recorded with video and afterwards transcribed and coded by two raters with software for qualitative data analysis (MAXQDA).
Results: autonomy & relatedness. The motives to participate in the community based gym classes were twofold. Firstly, the participants felt exercising would keep them fit. They believed this would contribute to the ability to live for a longer time independently. Secondly, the social aspect of the gym classes was important.
How do older adults feel about doing additional exercises at home, supported by a tablet?
“…remaining mobile, to buy groceries, cook and not being dependent”
“…I am scared to death of becoming dependent.
That is the worst thing that could happen to me!”
“…to live independently is for me the most important thing”
Results: self-efficacy. The participants recognized the benefits of an additional home exercise program, but also had concerns about their ability to do this without guidance
“…I wouldn’t want to miss the social contacts”
“…I think it is important that I can choose, which exercises and the pace I do it”
“…guidance plays a role…someone that tells you how it should be done and what you should or shouldn’t do”
“…you have to have discipline. You have to think it’s Monday, let’s get started!”
Conclusion. A home exercise program should accommodate the motives of older adults to live independently and have social interactions. The attitudes of older adults towards a tablet
supporting a home exercise program varied. A minority clearly rejected the idea. However, the majority believed that a tablet could give them instructions they needed. They felt the ability to personalize the program would be a great benefit. If atablet should facilitate social interactions in a blended exercise program was met with mixed feelings.
Future work. The attitudes of the participants were largely based on the general expectations of tablets. A majority did not have actual experience with tablets. In order to extend the findings an app has been developed, in part based on the insights of this study. In the near future a tablet with a home exercise app will be field tested in order to complement these findings.
Results: instructions supported by technology. A minority fiercely objected the notion of using any ICT to aid a home exercise program. Others, however, recognized opportunities for a tablet to support such an exercise program.
“…I think it’s terrible … don’t bother!”
“…I am actually curious about it”
“…I wouldn’t mind giving it a try, I don’t have that much discipline”
“…I would like that! I have an iPad, that is very easy”
“…I can imagine that I would lookup the recommended exercises and do it”
Results: social interactions supported by technology. The participants meet each other in the weekly gym classes (face-to-face). If a tablet should facilitate further social interactions was met with mixed feelings.
“…meeting each other once a week is enough for me”
“…I would not only like to use it for exercises ... I am lonely … would be nice to be in contact with someone that lives across the country.”
“… if you could make an appointment with each other… that you have a circle to do exercises at 09.00 for instance.”
Urban Vitality program
Acknowledgments. This project has been funded by NWO. We thank Applied Psychology students Anne-Roos Mol and Anthony Graanoogst for their contribution.
of older adults t o w ar ds a blended ex er cise pr ogr am
Sumit Mehra
1, 2, Tessa Dadema
3, Ben J.A.
Kröse
2, Bart Visser
3, Raoul H.H. Engelbert
4, Jantine van den Helder
5and Peter J.M. Weijs
5Department of
1Applied Psychology,
2Digital Life,
3
