Investigating a DTV-based physical activity application to facilitate wellbeing in older adults

Abstract

This paper describes a study that examined the usability and acceptability of a physical exercise application using the digital television platform for older adults. A key aim of this study was to obtain feedback from representative older users to inform further development of this application. Other key outcomes were to measure physical exertion objectively and subjectively whilst using this application and to investigate potential acute effects of the session on cognitive function and mood. The results indicated that the settings used for the current exercises did not produce physical exertion at a high enough intensity to have significant health benefits, although a positive impact on mood was found. Subjective feedback identified a number of issues regarding various application features and possible adaptations for the future design and development of this application, including the use of gesture based user-control and the potential importance of monitoring user heart-rate to set exercise parameters.