Engaging Older Clients With Exercise Physiology Software: Focussing on User-Prioritised Needs

Introduction

This paper discusses an exercise physiology software application designed to provide automated monitoring and feedback in an exercise program for older clients. The impetus for development of the program was the increasing challenge faced by allied health professionals in providing effective lifestyle intervention programs, particularly for clients requiring ongoing support. Research suggests that the most effective intervention programs are those that provide regular consultation and feedback. These characteristics have been shown to be significant in achieving compliance, particularly in the initial stages of treatment where behaviour modification is often the aim (Pinto et al., 2011). However, funding restrictions and the availability of easily accessible services often limit the capacity of health professionals to provide effective consultation and feedback. In Australia, funding arrangements currently impose an annual limit on the number of rebatable face-to-face consultations clients are allowed with allied health professionals, while clients in rural or remote locations who need to travel to access services may have difficulty accessing even these limited consultations. In addition, housebound individuals may face limitations not just in accessing the services of allied health professionals, but also in the range of program options available to them (Brach et al., 2012; Hinrichs et al., 2011; King and Farmer, 2009). Such challenges can impact on the effectiveness of health interventions and consequently on the longer-term wellbeing of clients.

The remote exercise physiology software discussed in this paper sought to address these challenges by utilising an electronic interface to exchange information and communicate between client and practitioner at a distance. The aim of the software is to supplement face-to-face consultations, enabling increased, regular, and ongoing support for minimal additional cost. A key focus in developing the software was to design an engaging interface for client groups. The initial client group comprised older adults. This paper discusses their perceptions of the prototype software. It also explains how user feedback is being incorporated into a second iteration of the software as it progresses from this initial prototype to a more developed experience in a virtual environment for further user studies. While this prototype was targeted at exercise physiologists and their clients, the problem of effective but efficient intervention programs is generic to many areas of health. Therefore, a fully developed system is likely to have broader application across allied health and related professions.