Accelerometers: Devices that contribute to healthy aging (Acelerómetros: Los dispositivos que contribuyen al envejecimiento saludable)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v0i32.51524Keywords:
Accelerometry, Ageing, Public Health, Kinetics, Physical development & measurement (Accelerómetro, Envejecimiento, Salud Pública, Cinemática, Desarrollo físico y su evaluación)Abstract
In this paper accelerometers were used as a persuasive technology to monitor exercise training and to promote healthy habits in senior citizens. The sample was composed by 100 users of a nursing home. Subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental and a control group. The intervention program lasted four months. Both groups carried accelerometers on a daily bases during one month, with no prior indication about exercise practice. The procedure was repeated two months later, but the experimental group was encouraged to increase the amount of time devoted to physical activity. Results showed a statistically significant increase in the amount and intensity of physical activity, regardless of whether subjects received the incentive to do it. These findings support the efficiency of using accelerometers as persuasive technology, as well as for generating new opportunities for active and healthy aging.
Resumen. En este trabajo se utilizó un acelerómetro como una tecnología persuasiva para supervisar la práctica de ejercicio y promover hábitos saludables en las personas de edad avanzada. La muestra fue compuesta por 100 usuarios de un hogar de ancianos. Los sujetos fueron asignados aleatoriamente a un grupo experimental y un grupo control. El programa de intervención duró cuatro meses. Ambos grupos llevaron el acelerómetro durante un mes diariamente, sin ninguna indicación previa sobre la práctica de ejercicio. Dos meses después, se repitió el procedimiento, pero el grupo experimental fue alentado a incrementar la cantidad de tiempo dedicada a la actividad física. Los resultados mostraron un aumento estadísticamente significativo en la cantidad e intensidad de la actividad física, independientemente de si los sujetos recibieron el incentivo para hacerlo. Estos hallazgos apoyan la eficacia de la utilización de acelerómetros como la tecnología persuasiva, que la generación de nuevas oportunidades para el envejecimiento activo y saludable.
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