Effect of interventions using physical activity trackers on physical activity in people aged 60 years and over: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Grant number: 24/04287-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 15, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Tania de Fatima Salvini
• Grantee: Gabriel Mattos Ferretti
• Supervisor: Bruno Tirotti Saragiotto
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/15594-2 - The effect of elastic bandage compression oon pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis - a randomized controlled trial., BP.IC

Abstract

Older people are at the highest risk of inactivity, particularly those aged 80 years and older. In the context of a rapidly ageing global population, there is clearly a need for effective strategies to increase physical activity participation in older age. Activity trackers can facilitate physical activity. Physical activity trackers such as pedometers are portable, easy-to-use and affordable devices that quantify and provide immediate feedback on thenumber of steps walked per day. Interventions using activity trackers can facilitate physical activity behaviour change by prompting goal setting and enhancing motivation and self-efficacy.There is a lack of published research investigating the effectiveness of interventions using activity trackers in the older population. To address this current evidence gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials that investigated the effect of interventions using physical activity trackers on physical activity levels compared with usual care or another physical activity intervention among people aged 60 years and older. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of activity trackers on mobility, quality of life and mental health among people aged 60 years and older. We aimed to investigate the effect of interventions using activity trackers on physical activity, mobility, quality of life and mental health among people aged 60+ years.