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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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-02-01
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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. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-08T04:52:12Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-ff2e96d46ec5491f9b50c7f500a63edb |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2296-2565 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-08T04:52:12Z |
publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
record_format | Article |
series | Frontiers in Public Health |
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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