Developing an Augmented Reality-Based ‘Senior Fitness Test’ System for Elderly Individuals with Frailty

Abstract

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to compare the results of an Augmented Reality (AR)-based Senior Fitness Test (SFT) with those evaluated by exercise experts, in order to confirm their agreement. Methods This study was conducted on 56 frail and pre-frail elderly women who could communicate and had consented to the purpose and objectives of this study. Consistency and reliability were evaluated via the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach α between the senior fitness test results obtained using the AR-based technology and the results measured by exercise specialist. Moreover, the Bland-Altman plot was used for comparison. Results The consistency between the results obtained using the AR-based SFT system and those measured by exercise specialist is as follows: Chair Stand Test (ICC=0.877, 95%C.I.=.792-.928, Cronbach α=0.939), Arm Curl Test (ICC=0.855, 95%C.I.=.758-.914, Cronbach α=0.927), Step in Place Test (ICC=0.788, 95%C.I.=.663-.870, Cronbach α=0.879), 2.44 m Timed up and go (ICC=0.822, 95%C.I.=.715-.892, Cronbach α=0.902), Chair Sit and Reach Test (ICC=0.938, 95%C.I.=.897-.963, Cronbach α=0.968), and Back Scratch Test (ICC=0.846, 95%C. I.=.750-.907, Cronbach α=0.919). These results indicate that both evaluation methods are highly consistent. Conclusions The AR-based SFT system developed in this study is a reliable, functional evaluation method that is not affected by the skill level of the fitness test administrators. The data obtained using this system can be utilized in the future to prescribe individualized exercises for frail elderly people.

Keywords

• augmented reality glasses
• elderly exercise
• frailty
• senior fitness test
• physical fitness assessment