Lillian M Seo1, Curtis L Petersen2,3, Ryan J Halter4, David F Kotz5, Karen L Fortuna1,6, John A Batsis1,2,7,8. 1. Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. 2. Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States. 3. Department of Quantitative Biomedical Science, Dartmouth College, United States. 4. Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, United States. 5. Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, United States. 6. Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Hitchcock, Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States. 7. Department of Medicine, Dartmouth Hitchcock, Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States. 8. Division of Geriatric Medicine and Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Resistance-based exercises effectively enhance muscle strength, which is especially important in older populations as it reduces the risk of disability. Our group developed a Bluetooth-enabled handle for resistance exercise bands that wirelessly transmits relative force data through low-energy Bluetooth to a local smartphone or similar device. We present a usability assessment that evaluates an exercise system featuring a novel Bluetooth-enabled resistance exercise band, ultimately intended to expand the accessibility of resistance training through technology-enhanced home-based exercise programs for older adults. Although our target population is older adults, we assess the user experience among younger adults as a convenient and meaningful starting point in the testing and development of our device. METHODS: There were 32 young adults participating in three exercise sessions with the exercise band, after which each completed an adapted version of the Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease (USE) questionnaire to characterize the exercise system's strengths and weaknesses in usability. RESULTS: Questionnaire data reflected a positive and consistent user experience, with all 20 items receiving mean scores greater than 5.0 on a seven-point Likert scale. There were no specific areas of significant weakness in the device's user experience. CONCLUSIONS: The positive reception among young adults is a promising indication that the device can be successfully incorporated into exercise interventions and that the system can be further developed and tested for the target population of older adults.
BACKGROUND: Resistance-based exercises effectively enhance muscle strength, which is especially important in older populations as it reduces the risk of disability. Our group developed a Bluetooth-enabled handle for resistance exercise bands that wirelessly transmits relative force data through low-energy Bluetooth to a local smartphone or similar device. We present a usability assessment that evaluates an exercise system featuring a novel Bluetooth-enabled resistance exercise band, ultimately intended to expand the accessibility of resistance training through technology-enhanced home-based exercise programs for older adults. Although our target population is older adults, we assess the user experience among younger adults as a convenient and meaningful starting point in the testing and development of our device. METHODS: There were 32 young adults participating in three exercise sessions with the exercise band, after which each completed an adapted version of the Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease (USE) questionnaire to characterize the exercise system's strengths and weaknesses in usability. RESULTS: Questionnaire data reflected a positive and consistent user experience, with all 20 items receiving mean scores greater than 5.0 on a seven-point Likert scale. There were no specific areas of significant weakness in the device's user experience. CONCLUSIONS: The positive reception among young adults is a promising indication that the device can be successfully incorporated into exercise interventions and that the system can be further developed and tested for the target population of older adults.
Authors: J A Batsis; G G Boateng; L M Seo; C L Petersen; K L Fortuna; E V Wechsler; R J Peterson; S B Cook; D Pidgeon; R S Dokko; R J Halter; D F Kotz Journal: World Acad Sci Eng Technol Date: 2019
Authors: Martijn F Pisters; Cindy Veenhof; François G Schellevis; Jos W R Twisk; Joost Dekker; Dinny H De Bakker Journal: Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) Date: 2010-08 Impact factor: 4.794