About this Research Topic
In an era where the global population is undergoing a profound demographic shift towards an aging society, safeguarding the health and well-being of older adults has never been more critical. Age-related declines in physical and cognitive functioning pose significant challenges to maintaining an independent lifestyle among this demographic. In this context, exercise is considered a paramount strategy to counteract the deleterious effects of aging, enhancing physical and cognitive functioning, several psychosocial outcomes, and quality of life.
The landscape of fitness and exercise for older adults is evolving, marked by a transformative force: user-centered technology. The convergence of aging demographics and technological innovation has sparked a renaissance in how we perceive, approach, and optimize resistance training for older individuals. This Research Topic seeks to illuminate the cutting-edge developments, challenges, and opportunities at the nexus of any physical and cognitive exercise (e.g. endurance training, strength training, balance training, exergames, and virtual-reality training), particularly emphasizing the pivotal role played by user-centered technology.
We welcome submissions of all article types on a wide range of topics related to exercise optimization in older adults, with a particular focus on user-centered technology. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Development and evaluation of user-centered technology applications: investigating the creation, refinement, and evaluation of technology-driven solutions tailored to older adults' specific needs and challenges during exercise.
- Quantitative and qualitative assessments: exploring both quantitative and qualitative metrics that gauge the impact of technology on training effectiveness, motivation, adherence, and other training outcomes among older populations.
- Wearable devices, sensors, smart equipment, and smartphone applications: uncovering the potential of a broad range of technologies in monitoring and enhancing the safety, efficacy, and enjoyment of exercising among older individuals.
- Virtual and augmented reality innovations: examining the utilization of virtual and augmented reality platforms to increase engagement, motivation, and skill acquisition within exercise programs designed for older adults.
- Gamification strategies: evaluating gamification techniques to stimulate participation, foster sustained commitment, and infuse an element of enjoyment into exercise regimens for older populations.
- Personalization and adaptability: investigating the development of personalized training algorithms and adaptive technologies that cater to older adults' unique physiological and psychological characteristics, thus optimizing the effectiveness of exercise interventions.
- Case studies and practical implementations: showcasing real-world case studies, pragmatic studies, and successful practical implementations of user-centered technology within community and clinical settings, shedding light on the transformative potential of such innovations.
- Ethical considerations and privacy concerns: engaging in a critical discourse surrounding the ethical dimensions and privacy considerations entailed by integrating technology into the realm of older adult training programs.
The landscape of fitness and exercise for older adults is evolving, marked by a transformative force: user-centered technology. The convergence of aging demographics and technological innovation has sparked a renaissance in how we perceive, approach, and optimize resistance training for older individuals. This Research Topic seeks to illuminate the cutting-edge developments, challenges, and opportunities at the nexus of any physical and cognitive exercise (e.g. endurance training, strength training, balance training, exergames, and virtual-reality training), particularly emphasizing the pivotal role played by user-centered technology.
We welcome submissions of all article types on a wide range of topics related to exercise optimization in older adults, with a particular focus on user-centered technology. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Development and evaluation of user-centered technology applications: investigating the creation, refinement, and evaluation of technology-driven solutions tailored to older adults' specific needs and challenges during exercise.
- Quantitative and qualitative assessments: exploring both quantitative and qualitative metrics that gauge the impact of technology on training effectiveness, motivation, adherence, and other training outcomes among older populations.
- Wearable devices, sensors, smart equipment, and smartphone applications: uncovering the potential of a broad range of technologies in monitoring and enhancing the safety, efficacy, and enjoyment of exercising among older individuals.
- Virtual and augmented reality innovations: examining the utilization of virtual and augmented reality platforms to increase engagement, motivation, and skill acquisition within exercise programs designed for older adults.
- Gamification strategies: evaluating gamification techniques to stimulate participation, foster sustained commitment, and infuse an element of enjoyment into exercise regimens for older populations.
- Personalization and adaptability: investigating the development of personalized training algorithms and adaptive technologies that cater to older adults' unique physiological and psychological characteristics, thus optimizing the effectiveness of exercise interventions.
- Case studies and practical implementations: showcasing real-world case studies, pragmatic studies, and successful practical implementations of user-centered technology within community and clinical settings, shedding light on the transformative potential of such innovations.
- Ethical considerations and privacy concerns: engaging in a critical discourse surrounding the ethical dimensions and privacy considerations entailed by integrating technology into the realm of older adult training programs.
Keywords: ageing, resistance training, strength-based training, aerobic training, balance training, coordination training, exergames, virtual-reality, video games, personalization, individually-tailored training, user-centered technology
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
