Crossing the digital frontier: are older adults ready for virtual reality workouts?

In the dynamic web of our digital age, virtual reality (VR) is crystallizing as a promising medium for promoting physical activity in older adults, overcoming age-old barriers. This perspective article explores the intricate synergy between VR and physical activity in older adults and highlights the...

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Main Authors: André Ramalho, Pedro Duarte-Mendes, Rui Paulo, João Serrano, João Petrica
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1324004/full
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author André Ramalho
André Ramalho
Pedro Duarte-Mendes
Pedro Duarte-Mendes
Rui Paulo
Rui Paulo
João Serrano
João Serrano
João Petrica
João Petrica
author_facet André Ramalho
André Ramalho
Pedro Duarte-Mendes
Pedro Duarte-Mendes
Rui Paulo
Rui Paulo
João Serrano
João Serrano
João Petrica
João Petrica
author_sort André Ramalho
collection DOAJ
description In the dynamic web of our digital age, virtual reality (VR) is crystallizing as a promising medium for promoting physical activity in older adults, overcoming age-old barriers. This perspective article explores the intricate synergy between VR and physical activity in older adults and highlights the many challenges of aging within a virtual environment. While VR heralds the potential for multisensory interaction and cognitive enhancement, a thorough assessment of its impact is paramount. The reach of VR goes beyond immediate applications and permeates the emotional and psychological realms of the human journey. Such an exploration requires a comprehensive perspective that goes beyond a purely technical assessment. The aim of this article is not to present clear-cut solutions, but to encourage reflection on the diverse impact of VR on our aging population. We argue for a future in which technology complements, rather than eclipses, the depth of human experience.
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spelling doaj.art-ff2e96d46ec5491f9b50c7f500a63edb2024-02-08T04:45:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652024-02-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.13240041324004Crossing the digital frontier: are older adults ready for virtual reality workouts?André Ramalho0André Ramalho1Pedro Duarte-Mendes2Pedro Duarte-Mendes3Rui Paulo4Rui Paulo5João Serrano6João Serrano7João Petrica8João Petrica9Sport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, PortugalSport Physical Activity and Health Research & INnovation CenTer, SPRINT, Santarém, PortugalSport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, PortugalSport Physical Activity and Health Research & INnovation CenTer, SPRINT, Santarém, PortugalSport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, PortugalSport Physical Activity and Health Research & INnovation CenTer, SPRINT, Santarém, PortugalSport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, PortugalSport Physical Activity and Health Research & INnovation CenTer, SPRINT, Santarém, PortugalSport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, PortugalSport Physical Activity and Health Research & INnovation CenTer, SPRINT, Santarém, PortugalIn the dynamic web of our digital age, virtual reality (VR) is crystallizing as a promising medium for promoting physical activity in older adults, overcoming age-old barriers. This perspective article explores the intricate synergy between VR and physical activity in older adults and highlights the many challenges of aging within a virtual environment. While VR heralds the potential for multisensory interaction and cognitive enhancement, a thorough assessment of its impact is paramount. The reach of VR goes beyond immediate applications and permeates the emotional and psychological realms of the human journey. Such an exploration requires a comprehensive perspective that goes beyond a purely technical assessment. The aim of this article is not to present clear-cut solutions, but to encourage reflection on the diverse impact of VR on our aging population. We argue for a future in which technology complements, rather than eclipses, the depth of human experience.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1324004/fullvirtual realityagingphysical activitycognitionemotions
spellingShingle André Ramalho
André Ramalho
Pedro Duarte-Mendes
Pedro Duarte-Mendes
Rui Paulo
Rui Paulo
João Serrano
João Serrano
João Petrica
João Petrica
Crossing the digital frontier: are older adults ready for virtual reality workouts?
Frontiers in Public Health
virtual reality
aging
physical activity
cognition
emotions
title Crossing the digital frontier: are older adults ready for virtual reality workouts?
title_full Crossing the digital frontier: are older adults ready for virtual reality workouts?
title_fullStr Crossing the digital frontier: are older adults ready for virtual reality workouts?
title_full_unstemmed Crossing the digital frontier: are older adults ready for virtual reality workouts?
title_short Crossing the digital frontier: are older adults ready for virtual reality workouts?
title_sort crossing the digital frontier are older adults ready for virtual reality workouts
topic virtual reality
aging
physical activity
cognition
emotions
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1324004/full
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