Enhancing engagement and motivation

Smart wearables, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, offer promising tools to engage older adults in regular physical activity. As described in chapter 2, these devices provide real-time feedback, health monitoring, and personalized insights that can promote motivation and support behavior change. In a recent meta-analysis, Liu at al. (2020) reviewed randomized controlled trials published between 2008 and 2018 to assess the impact of wearable activity trackers (WATs), such as Fitbit and other wearable devices, on physical activity, measured primarily through daily step counts and time spent on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. They concluded that WAT-based interventions can effectively enhance PA among sedentary older adults over the short term, particularly when coupled with behavior change strategies. However, results are mixed when comparing WATs to traditional methods or involving very old participants, indicating a need for further research into long-term adherence and optimization of interventions for different age groups.

In order to understand how wearables may enhance engagement in physical activity interventions we should first understand the motives and the barriers of older adults to engage in physical activity and then see how wearables may be helpful in raising most of the barriers or enhance the facilitators. Table 4 presents a list of barriers and facilitators to physical activity for older adults.

Fear of Injury refers to the concerns of many older adults about falls or other injuries during exercise. It can be faced with access to safe, age-friendly environments, ensuring the availability of facilities that cater specifically to older adults.

Chronic Health Conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease, or mobility limitations may reduce confidence in participating in physical activities. Physicians and health practitioners can motivate older adults by emphasizing the health benefits of physical activity.

Environmental Factors, concern mainly lack of access to safe, age-appropriate facilities or parks that can discourage participation. Activities that incorporate social elements or are conducted in groups can provide a motivational boost.

There are also some factors that the fitness professional should consider. Older adults have diverse backgrounds and capabilities, so physical activity programs should be customized. Programs that offer a variety of activities (e.g., yoga, swimming, dancing) can appeal to different preferences and functional abilities. The immediate benefits of exercise should be spotted as soon as possible. Highlighting the immediate benefits of physical activity, such as improved mood, stress reduction, and social engagement, can be more effective than focusing solely on long-term health benefits. Incorporating social components into physical activity programs, such as exercise classes with a social hour afterward, can help older adults see physical activity as a social experience rather than a chore.

The Role of Smart Wearables in Promoting Physical Activity

Smart wearables can help older adults maintain health and manage chronic conditions by tracking vital signs and providing activity reminders. Features such as step counting, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and fall detection make wearables particularly useful for this demographic. Moreover, these devices foster self-monitoring, enabling users to set personalized goals and receive real-time feedback. While younger populations may find the default settings of wearables suitable, older adults often require adaptations in usability features. Ensuring the devices accommodate physical limitations, such as reduced vision or manual dexterity, is key to increasing engagement. Table 5 presents the main strategies that could be used in order to enhance physical activity engagement through smart wearable features, along with some examples.

Personalization and adaptive feedback have been shown to enhance user engagement by tailoring experiences to individual needs. Wearables can adjust goals and notifications based on the user’s performance and preferences. The study by Peng et al. (2021) highlighted that tailored activity goals, personalized health recommendations, and adaptive feedback significantly improved adherence to physical activity regimens in older adults.

Gamifying physical activity can motivate older adults by introducing elements of fun and competition. Social features like sharing achievements and participating in challenges foster a sense of community. Jang et al. (2018) found that older adults were more likely to increase their activity levels when gamified elements such as badges and leaderboards were incorporated into wearable technology.

Table 6 summarizes key motivational features for wearables. Gamification strategies, such as earning badges or competing with friends, have shown potential in increasing engagement with fitness activities. Nurmi et al. (2020) developed a system integrating gamification with wearable devices to motivate users to increase their step counts. They found that combining goal-setting with digitalized motivational interviewing and small challenges can significantly boost activity levels in individuals aged 55 and older. Moreover, Vargemidis et al. (2020) emphasized that wearables with social sharing features—such as sharing progress with friends or joining activity challenges—can enhance motivation by fostering a sense of community. Older adults who are part of social groups tend to engage more actively, finding external accountability helpful in sustaining their fitness routines.

To ensure wearables are user-friendly for older adults, devices should feature simplified interfaces, larger fonts, and voice commands. Providing training or user manuals can also help. The review by Moore et al. (2021) showed that interventions improving device accessibility, such as larger text or easier navigation, were linked to higher engagement and lower dropout rates among older users.