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Background: Mobile applications (apps) and peer support are known to effectively promote physical activity in older adults, which, in turn, improves physical function. Previously, we investigated the feasibility and impact of using digital peer-supported apps (DPSAs) to increase physical activity among older adults over a 3-month period. However, the long-term feasibility and impact on sustainable behavior change remain unknown. Objective: To evaluate the 12-month feasibility of the DPSA and to obtain preliminary estimates of its effects on physical activity and physical function among older Japanese adults. Methods: This nonrandomized controlled trial recruited older adults aged ≥65 years from two physical activity programs. Participants chose either the intervention (app program + exercise instruction) or control (exercise instruction only) group. Only participants who had completed the 3-month intervention and wished to continue in the 12-month follow-up intervention study were included. DPSA feasibility was assessed using retention and adherence rates. Physical activity was assessed using accelerometers, capturing daily step count, light-intensity activity, moderate-to-vigorous-intensity activity, and sedentary behavior. Physical function was evaluated using grip strength and the 30-second chair-stand test (CS-30). Accelerometer measurements were collected every 3 months over 12 months (five time points, including baseline), whereas physical function was measured at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. Results: The follow-up study included 44 of 66 participants from the 3-month intervention study, with 26 participants in the intervention and 18 in the control group, respectively. The 12-month retention rate for participants in the DPSA-intervention group was 73% (19/26), whereas the retention rate among all 41 participants, including those who chose not to participate in the follow-up study, was 46% (19/41). The adherence rate was 85.9%. The average number of steps per day (95% confidence interval [95%CI]) in the intervention group changed before and after DPSA use (P=.048). We observed an increase of 1736 (232, 3241) steps per day (95%CI) compared to baseline. No significant change was observed in the control group. There were significant within-group differences in CS-30 scores for both intervention (P

Background: A key driver that leads to age-associated decline and chronic disease is mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous work revealed strong community interest in the concept of mitochondrial fitness, which led to the development of a video-based…