Application on mobile platform “Idoso Ativo” (Active Aging): exercises for lower limbs combining technology and health

Abstract

Introduction: The introduction of a healthy lifestyle for the elderly from regular physical exercise is linked to physical independence and social wellness. The increasing integration of technology, including in the elderly’s health area, extends an innovative and interactive approach towards the specific aspects of aging. Objective: To report the development of the application "Idoso Ativo” (Active Aging) with proposed exercises for the elderly population’s lower limbs. Methods: The study belongs to the type ‘original paper’ which describes the development and accomplishment of the application for the health of the elderly. The study had the participation of an elderly model to perform exercises and video recording. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of UCB and supported by CNPQ. Results: The Software development proposal involved interdisciplinary work for the selection of exercises for posture, balance and gait, development of the application and the use of a specific programming language with presentation of exercises on screens for easy understanding for the elderly public. Conclusion: The application developed can be adopted as a proposal in scientific studies in the physical therapy area and applied as an innovative resource combining health promotion and disease prevention.