Using Asynchronous Exergames to Encourage an Active Ageing Lifestyle: Solitaire Fitness Study Protocol.

ABSTRACT

A healthy and active lifestyle can significantly improve the well-being and quality of life; however, some elderly people struggle to stay motivated and engaged with any form of exercise. The project Elaine (Elderly, AI and New Experiences) addresses this problem by seeking to improve the quality of life of the elderly through exergames. Currently, the project explores a novel approach in the field of health informatics called asynchronous exergaming. This approach, a new trend in games in the health domain, allows the elderly to workout at their own pace, and in their own time, with their physical activity linked asynchronously to a game. This paper presents the study protocol for Solitaire Fitness, a new asynchronous exergame developed by the team. The game aims at increasing the motivation of the elderly to engage in physical exercise whilst helping to maintain their cognitive abilities. It also describes the protocol for the trial. The result of this research has the potential to benefit elderly that need nudging to be motivated to exercise, health care providers treating people with sedentary lifestyles and researchers investigating ways to encourage the elderly to exercise.