Community-Dwelling Older Adults' Experience With Activity Trackers: Effects of Monitoring Physical Activity

Vollständiger Abstract

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Purpose: To explore the experiences of low-income community-dwelling older adults with the physical, cognitive, sociocultural, and behavioral effects of physical activity measured with an activity tracker. Method: The current qualitative descriptive study was conducted among participants in the Physio-Feedback Exercise Program, who were aged ≥60 years and from low-income settings in Central Florida ( n = 19). A semi-structured interview guide was used to obtain participants' experiences, and the responses were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Five interrelated themes were developed from participants' experiences, including (1) Physical Activity Habit and the Activity Tracker , (2) Behavioral Effect , (3) Changes in Cognition , (4) Social Effect , and (5) Changes in Physical Function . Conclusion: Physical activity monitored with an activity tracker enhanced engagement and overall well-being among community-dwelling older adults. Health care providers and caregivers should encourage physical activity and monitoring with an activity tracker to improve well-being in this population.