PhysAgeNet position paper: recommendations for technology-assisted physical activity in older adults
A PhysAgeNet position paper recommends designing, evaluating and implementing technology-assisted physical activity interventions for older adults around clinical evidence and user needs rather than technological possibilities. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The paper says technology development and implementation are often driven by technological possibilities rather than clinical evidence and user needs. [1]
The position paper comes from the PhysAgeNet COST Action and combines current evidence with expert consensus. [1]
The authors propose stakeholder-specific guidance for developers, researchers and clinicians, including user assessment and recruitment of vulnerable groups. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Position paper (abstract)
- Population / context
- Older adults addressed by technology-assisted physical activity interventions
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 28, 2026
PhysAgeNet paper targets technology-push in older adults
Digital health technologies could support physical activity among older adults, but the paper states their development and implementation often follow technological possibilities rather than clinical evidence and user needs. The authors describe the paper as a position paper from the PhysAgeNet COST Action that combines current evidence and expert consensus into recommendations for designing, evaluating and implementing such interventions.
Supporting source [1]
Wearables, exergames and apps must fit clinical guidelines
The paper outlines technology categories and functions for promoting physical activity: wearables, exergames, mobile applications, telehealth platforms and smart environments. It names technical requirements such as accuracy, reliability, connectivity, interoperability and data security. It also stresses aligning digital interventions with established clinical guidelines for physical activity, falls prevention, frailty and sarcopenia, including explicit exercise dose according to FITT-VP principles and monitoring of adherence to both physical activity and technology use.
Supporting source [1]
Co-creative design and stakeholder guidance in the proposal
Building on technology acceptance models and behaviour change theories, the authors describe how user-centred and co-creative design can turn theoretical constructs into concrete digital features that support motivation, enjoyment and long-term engagement. They propose stakeholder-specific guidance for developers, researchers and clinicians on user assessment, recruitment of vulnerable groups, implementation frameworks and clinically grounded evaluation of outcomes and usability. The paper presents these as recommendations and a pragmatic roadmap, not as tested results.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a position paper combining evidence and expert consensus, not a new study, and the abstract reports no tested outcomes.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Schott N, Pelclová J, Giannouli E, Langeard A, McCrum C, Dubbeldam R, Bernardes RA, Boshnjaku A, Beckwée D. · europepmc.org · September 28, 2026