Designing home exercise equipment with consideration for older adults

Abstract

Physical decline due to aging is one of the significant problems of aging Korean society. Exercise is one way to relieve the problem, but many older adults have difficulty meeting the recommended level of exercise. Exercise equipment could be one means to help older adults exercise. However, it is not easy to utilize current home exercise equipment for older adults. In this thesis, we aimed to explore what factors could be considered when designing home exercise equipment for older adults. First, we investigated literature and materials related to exercise in older adults. We found that exercises to protect the shoulders, knees, and lower back should be a priority for older adults. Second, we conducted home visit in-depth interviews with older participants to understand their exercise status and context, and to derive design considerations for home exercise equipment for older adults. Third, we designed the equipment prototype that covers leg extensions, seated rows, and squats to explore how to design home exercise equipment for older adults. Then, we conducted user workshops to identify possible design improvements and validate the design considerations we derived. The design considerations we derived are 1) Selection of suitable exercise for older adults’ physical condition and needs, 2) Exercise posture guide/confirmation, 3) Exercise maintenance support, 4) Exercise principles/effects education, 5) Exercise volume management, 6) Excessive exercise prevention, 7) Simple and intuitive, 8) Helping to feel the rewards & Considering experience, and 9) Stable and not burdensome in appearance and operation. This thesis contributes to a better understanding of exercise in older adults and appropriate home exercise equipment for them. Designers or researchers can adopt the design considerations we suggested in designing and evaluating home exercise equipment for older adults.