Examining the Use of Wearable Health Devices for Tracking Physical Activity in Elderly Populations

Abstract

Background: In this modern world, the increased use of wearable technologies is evident owing to significant advances. This study explores how wearable technologies help monitor and enhance physical activity levels among older adults, thus providing valuable insights into their health. Methods: A longitudinal study recruited older adults from community homes to investigate the impact of wearable technologies among them to evaluate physical activity levels. A self-design questionnaire was used for data evaluation at 3 points, i.e., at baseline, three months, and six months, to observe the change in physical activity trends. Results: The responses on the usage of wearable technologies and their impact on physical activity levels showed that n=103 males and n=98 females were unaware of the use of wearable gadgets and had no idea about the availability of such gadgets in the labour market. Moreover, chi-square analyses revealed that the likelihood of using wearable gadgets to quantify PA was non-significant, with p<0.05 among the elderly population. Conclusion: The findings of this longitudinal study highlight the potential advantages of wearable health devices in promoting physical activity among older populations. The results show that these gadgets may be motivational aids, resulting in notable increases in step counts, resting heart rates, and users’ opinions of wearable technology. Keywords: Blood Pressure, Elderly, Heart Rate, Physical Activity.