July 23, 2023
Gamifying Exercise in the Elderly Shows Promise in Enhancing Health and Well-being
“Gamifying Exercise in the Elderly” was published today in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research. The review explores the potential of gamification in promoting physical activity among the elderly population and its impact on various aspects of health and well-being.
The Centers for Disease Control emphasizes the importance of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise every week and two or three days of muscle-strengthening exercises every week. However, only about 15% of adults aged 65 and above in the US meet these guidelines. Thus, motivating the elderly to engage in regular physical activity is important and quite challenging.
Gamification, the art of infusing gaming elements into non-gaming contexts, appears to be a productive way to enhance motivation and engagement, especially in health behaviors. By integrating game mechanics into exercise routines, the elderly can experience newfound motivation, engagement, and enjoyment, leading to sustained health benefits. Moreover, these games stimulate cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving, further enriching overall well-being.
The review sheds light on the effectiveness of wearable fitness devices in boosting physical activity among the elderly. Popular wearables like Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Garmin cleverly employ gamification techniques such as step challenges, virtual group activities, and personalized feedback based on activity data. For example, a systematic review of 26 studies involving 2,676 participants revealed that a simple pedometer intervention increased daily step counts by over 2,000 during an 18-week period, leading to reduced weight and blood pressure.
Furthermore, the combination of gamification with routine nudges has shown positive outcomes in the workplace. A study involving 298 office workers uncovered that a gamified digital app bolstered by social support features and digital nudges significantly increased users to increase their step counts.
The review also brings attention to the potential impact of exercise gamification on mental health and life satisfaction since exercise has proven to be a crucial aspect of cognitive well-being in the elderly. Through the use of a phone app with tracking gamification, researchers identified personalized digital phenotypes for patients, offering crucial insights for tailored therapy recommendations.
The author of the review, Thomas F Heston, MD, underlines the significance of gamification as a practical and invaluable approach to fostering regular exercise among the elderly. The review demonstrates how gamification can elevate physical activity levels, bolster mental health, and boost life satisfaction, even though the overall benefits may seem modest. Nonetheless, the diversity of observed outcomes warrants further exploration of specific gamification techniques.
The review paper “Gamifying Exercise in the Elderly” carries important implications for promoting healthy aging, illuminating the potential of gamification to transform health interventions for the elderly, shaping a brighter future for their well-being.
For more information and access to the full research paper, please refer to the
Heston TF. Gamifying Exercise in the Elderly. Jour Clin Med Res. 2023;4(2):1–3. DOI: 10.46889/JCMR.2023.4211