Web-based physical activity interventions for older adults: A review

Most web-based physical activity interventions were built based on the principles of universal design and may have overlooked age-related impair- ments experienced by older adult. Thus, it is intriguing to know how successful these web-based interventions are in enhancing older adult’s physical acti...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mohd Mohadis, Hazwani, Mohamad Ali, Nazlena, Shahar, Suzana, Smeaton, Alan
Format: Conference or Workshop Item
Language:English
English
Published: Springer International Publishing 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:http://irep.iium.edu.my/57330/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/57330/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/57330/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/57330/4/57330-Web-Based%20Physical%20Activity%20Interventions-edited.pdf
http://irep.iium.edu.my/57330/5/57330-Web-based%20physical%20activity%20interventions%20for%20older%20adults_SCOPUS.pdf
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Summary:Most web-based physical activity interventions were built based on the principles of universal design and may have overlooked age-related impair- ments experienced by older adult. Thus, it is intriguing to know how successful these web-based interventions are in enhancing older adult’s physical activity level despite of these shortcomings. The objective of this study hence is to review published literature regarding interactive web-based interventions promoting physical activity among older adults. EBSCOhost, ISI Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases were searched to identify relevant peer-reviewed papers. Results were summarized in a qualitative way. We included 15 papers reporting on web-based interventions with physical activity components. Ten and two studies respectively indicated positive and negative outcomes, while the out- comes of the remaining three studies remain unclear. Despite of computer illit- eracy and age-related impairments experienced, there is preliminary evidence that suggest web-based interventions are effective in encouraging physical activity among older adults.