La prescripción de ejercicio físico a través de las aplicaciones móviles y su impacto sobre la salud en personas de edad avanzada

Abstract

Healthy aging has become a priority in the agenda of public health. Physical activity plays a crucial role in improving health. In the last decade, the technical capabilities of the mobile phone have evolved showing their ability to prescribe exercise. Previous research in this field shows the need to confirm this potential with well-designed controlled trials. The aim of this Thesis is to study whether the prescription of physical exercise through mobile phones is feasible and effective in producing positive changes in physical condition, cardiovascular disease risk factors and adiposity in people ≥55 years. The components of physical fitness, cardiovascular disease risk factors and adiposity levels were assessed. The main results and conclusions were: I) Mostly of the publish studies based on the prescription of physical exercise through mobile phone are pilots of feasibility studies in which are shown proof methods and preliminary results. II) The prescription of physical exercise through mobile phone is feasible. III) A clinical controlled study based in physical exercises program and prescribed through mobile application increases no significantly strength levels, aerobic capacity and balance in adult’s ≥55 years. IV) The effects of a physical exercise program on physical fitness and cardiovascular disease risk factors have better impact on health than if the same program is prescribed by mobile application in adult’s ≥55 years. The prescription of physical exercise by mobile phone could be effective as part of a multicomponent intervention but not in isolation.