Daily Archives: 11 March 2024

Exercise applications fail to address the requirements of older adults

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In an era where physical activity is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of healthy ageing, a research team led by Luis Soto, a physiotherapist at the Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili health complex, in collaboration with digital health specialists from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), embarked on a comprehensive evaluation of exercise mobile applications available on prominent app stores. Their goal was to assess the app’s suitability for the online prescription of physical exercise and its alignment with the specific needs of older adults.

Soto emphasized the universal advice from the current scientific literature to enhance physical activity, incorporate strength training, and curtail sedentary habits. “While engaging in any form of exercise is preferable to inactivity, it is our duty as professionals to tailor our recommendations to each individual, adjusting the intensity, volume, frequency, and progression of activities accordingly,” he stated.

What sets this investigation apart, as highlighted by PhD Marco Inzitari, Director of Integrated Care and Research at Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili and a researcher at the UOC’s Faculty of Health Sciences and the eHealth Center, is its systematic approach. Published in the prestigious journal of the British Geriatrics Society, the study adheres to stringent app selection and analysis methods and ventures beyond traditional scientific databases to explore applications directly from consumer marketplaces. This approach offers insights into the apps that are readily accessible and widely used, shedding light on their practical application in everyday life.

The study critically assessed 15 out of more than 8,000 exercise apps available on Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, selecting those with over 10,000 downloads, targeted at older audiences, updated within the last three years, available in English, and not confined to any single fitness discipline. The research team found these apps lacking in several areas, particularly in their adaptability to the needs of older individuals, both in terms of exercise prescription and user-friendliness, thus highlighting a significant gap in empowering this demographic.

A notable deficiency identified was the absence of apps catering to cognitive functions, underscoring the necessity for applications to be straightforward, user-friendly, and specifically designed with older adults in mind. The researchers advocate for involving potential users in the development process, especially older individuals from diverse backgrounds and with varying technological proficiency, to ensure the apps effectively meet their needs.

“Technology holds the potential to aid us significantly, yet its applications need to undergo thorough quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Our study aimed to provide a qualitative assessment of these apps, informed by scientific evidence, to aid professionals in prescribing physical exercise for older individuals,” Soto added.

Surprisingly, only one of the 15 apps evaluated was grounded in scientific evidence, as indicated by references in the PubMed scientific publication database. This study involved contributions from multiple institutions, including Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, the HiTT Foundation, Qida, and the Blanquerna School of Psychology, Education, and Sport Science at Ramon Llull University, highlighting the collaborative effort to improve digital health solutions for older adults.

More information: Luis Soto-Bagaria et al, Mobile applications to prescribe physical exercise in frail older adults: review of the available tools in app stores, Age and Ageing. DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afad227

Journal information: Age and Ageing Provided by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)

A Mediterranean diet enhances not only overall health but also fertility

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The Mediterranean diet, renowned for its focus on fruits, vegetables, and legumes, has been widely celebrated for its extensive health benefits. Recent studies now indicate that this diet might play a crucial role in enhancing fertility, presenting a non-invasive and cost-effective approach for couples attempting to conceive.

This research, a collaborative effort by Monash University, the University of the Sunshine Coast, and the University of South Australia, reveals that the Mediterranean diet can boost fertility, increase the success rates of assisted reproductive technology (ART), and enhance sperm quality in males.

The study’s core finding is the diet’s anti-inflammatory effects, significantly boosting couples’ likelihood of conception.

Infertility represents a significant global health issue, impacting approximately 48 million couples and 186 million individuals across the globe.

Dr Evangeline Mantzioris, a researcher at UniSA, highlights the importance of preconception nutrition modification as a non-invasive and highly effective method to improve fertility outcomes. She points out the emotional strain couples face when conception does not happen as anticipated. The study explores how an anti-inflammatory diet, like the Mediterranean diet, could positively affect fertility outcomes by examining its influence on factors such as sperm quality, menstrual cycles, and implantation.

The findings reveal that a diet rich in polyunsaturated fats and flavonoids (like those found in leafy greens) and low in red and processed meats can significantly enhance fertility. The Mediterranean diet, predominantly plant-based, includes whole grains, extra virgin olive oil, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, herbs, and spices, as well as moderate amounts of yoghurt, cheese, and lean proteins like fish, chicken, or eggs, with minimal red and processed meat intake.

On the contrary, the Western diet, characterized by high saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, and animal proteins, lacks essential dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals and is often linked with increased inflammation.

Simon Alesi, a researcher from Monash University, notes the potentially transformative impact understanding the link between anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, and fertility could have for individuals looking to start a family. He emphasizes the global recognition of the Mediterranean diet as one of the healthiest, with added benefits for conception and pregnancy being particularly promising.

Adopting a Mediterranean diet represents a non-invasive and economical option that could notably improve fertility issues. While further research is needed, transitioning to this diet enhances overall health. It potentially increases the likelihood of conception, offering hope for couples aspiring to expand their families.

More information: Simon Alesi et al, Anti-Inflammatory Diets in Fertility: An Evidence Review, Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu14193914

Journal information: Nutrients Provided by University of South Australia