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Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exercise for Functional Fitness in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A 12-Week Follow-Up Study

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  • Li-Ting Wang

Abstract

Several recent studies have used virtual reality (VR)-based exercise to enhance functional fitness in older adults. However, most of these studies exclusively focused on short-term intervention outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of VR-based exercise on older adults’ retention of functional fitness after intervention and at follow-up.This study was a randomized controlled trial wherein older adults (mean age: 72.16 ± 4.9 years) were assigned to experimental ( n  = 48) and control ( n  = 50) groups. Experimental group participants engaged in VR exercise sessions for 75 to 90 minutes biweekly over 12 weeks. Control group participants did not participate in the intervention. Functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Functional fitness changes were compared using a generalized estimating equation. Pre-, post-, and follow-up tests were conducted at weeks 1, 13, and 24, respectively. After VR-based training, the experimental group performed better in functional fitness tests, including upper body flexibility, lower body flexibility, upper body strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, balance, and agility, than the control group immediately after the intervention. Improvements in lower body flexibility, upper body strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, balance, and agility persisted in the experimental group for up to 12 weeks. This study demonstrates that VR-based training potentially improves community-dwelling older adults’ functional fitness. Its findings may support the future development of novel exercise technologies and serve as a reference for the implementation of physical health promotion strategies for older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Li-Ting Wang, 2023. "Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exercise for Functional Fitness in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A 12-Week Follow-Up Study," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:13:y:2023:i:4:p:21582440231218515
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440231218515
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jong-Hwan Park & Yung Liao & Du-Ri Kim & Seunghwan Song & Jun Ho Lim & Hyuntae Park & Yeanhwa Lee & Kyung Won Park, 2020. "Feasibility and Tolerability of a Culture-Based Virtual Reality (VR) Training Program in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-9, April.
    2. Shu‐Fen Lin & Huei‐Chuan Sung & Tzai‐Li Li & Tsung‐Cheng Hsieh & Hsiao‐Chin Lan & Shoa‐Jen Perng & Graeme D. Smith, 2015. "The effects of Tai‐Chi in conjunction with thera‐band resistance exercise on functional fitness and muscle strength among community‐based older people," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(9-10), pages 1357-1366, May.
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