Sensor for sports applications: monitoring and assessment of intrinsic capacity enhancement in older adults during brisk walking

Abstract

Background: As population aging accelerates, the development of precise health monitoring technologies for older adults is crucial for mitigating functional decline and chronic disease risks. The “Intrinsic Capacity (IC)” framework, proposed by the World Health Organization(WHO), defines five core dimensions of older adults' functional ability: locomotion, vitality, cognition, psychological and sensory. Wearable motion sensors provide a novel approach for early detection and continuous monitoring of these dimensions. Methods: This study conducts a systematic literature review of empirical research in 20 years (from 2005 to 2025), focusing on how motion sensors capture IC-related changes during brisk walking in older adults. A total of 23 studies were included after screening. Results: Key findings reveal that adults aged 60–74 demonstrate the highest levels of technology acceptance and compliance, whereas individuals over 80 years old favor simpler, more user-friendly devices. Triaxial accelerometers, pressure sensors, photoplethysmography (PPG), and electrodermal activity (EDA) sensors are used to monitor gait rhythm, stability, heart rate regulation, and emotional stress, respectively. Conclusions: The results indicate that motion sensor technologies offer comprehensive coverage across all five IC dimensions and hold strong potential for continuous assessment, anomaly detection, and personalized intervention. Future research should prioritize multimodal sensor integration and algorithm optimization to enhance real-world applications in health management and remote monitoring for aging populations.