Background: The older adult population is increasing rapidly and experiences a multitude of chronic conditions affecting quality of life. Physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior reduce adverse health conditions and help preserve functional independence and cognitive abilities, but the older adult age group has much lower levels of physical activity than recommended compared with other population demographics. Objective: The study aimed to understand older adults’ motivations toward health and physical activity and the role of technology in achieving their health and physical activity goals and to explore the attitudes toward the use of generative AI in health apps. Methods: This study was qualitative and based on hour-long interviews with 20 older adults living in the United States. To elicit specific design preferences, participants were presented with visual probes of AI-generated avatars. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, and the coding process drew on reflexive and grounded theory techniques. Results: Older adults primarily wished to maintain functional independence, both physical and cognitive, prioritizing baseline maintenance rather than continuous optimization. They reported satisfaction with levels of physical activity, adjusting them to chronic conditions and injuries. They were active through everyday functions of living as well as structured exercise programs with many participants using wearable devices and smartphones to help monitor their activity. They reported being motivated by social accountability and gamification, although some found the latter condescending or anxiety-inducing. Accessibility issues were mentioned frequently, including problems with touchscreens, limited viewing, difficulty navigating interfaces with clutter, complex multitouch processes for undertaking actions, and steep learning curves. Computers were preferred for certain tasks over mobile phones due to easier viewability, keyboard access, and greater security features. Personalization was highly desired in health apps. There was a willingness to use more health technology, including generative AI, and they were willing to consider AI in both motivational and informational roles in apps as long as it was personalized. AI embodiment preferences varied widely but with an emphasis on relatability. However, there was marked skepticism toward data privacy, concerns about the loss of independence and self-efficacy, and doubts about AI’s accuracy. Conclusions: Older adults are primarily motivated by sustaining functional independence, although accessibility barriers in current health apps remain. Participants were open to AI for physical activity support, but expectations varied. They viewed AI as a passive “tool,” a directive “coach,” or a relational “companion.” Considerable variation in preferences for gamification and visual design suggested that future apps require greater modularity. As skepticism over data privacy and AI accuracy remains high, greater transparency and explainability might be needed to engender trust.

A workout done once can lift your mood. A workout repeated for months can change how your body ages.That distinction matters in the 40s and 50s. This is the stage when many women move through perimeno...

A MedUni Wien study finds only 29.6% of Austrians over 65 meet activity goals, missing significant opportunities to prevent disease.

Background: Digital technologies have the potential to support physical, cognitive, and social activity among older adults, but many small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lack the resources to conduct meaningful co-design with older adults. Toolkits derived from rigorous co-design processes may offer a scalable mechanism for translating end-user priorities into real-world product development. Objective: The Generating Older Active Lives Digitally study aimed primarily to engage older adults in a co-design process to identify priorities for digital technologies that support physical activity and reminiscence. Secondary objectives were to (1) translate these findings into a practical developer-facing toolkit, and (2) evaluate the toolkit’s perceived utility and influence among digital technology SMEs. Methods: A total of 157 participants (121 older, 7 younger, and 29 staff) across 15 community and care settings in England and Scotland engaged in 106 technology interaction sessions, 22 evaluation focus groups, and 10 co-design workshops. These involved more than 20 digital technologies. Thematic analysis and structured card-ranking tasks were used to derive their priorities. Preliminary toolkits were co-designed and used by 10 UK-based SMEs who received small grants to apply the toolkit to active development projects. Their reports and follow-up interviews were analyzed thematically to identify perceived impacts on design decisions, product adaptations, and business outcomes. Results: Co-design activities generated 7 cross-cutting themes: motivation, content, barriers, design and inclusivity, suitability, acceptability, and motivations to use. These were organized into 3 toolkit sections: general design principles, online physical-activity platforms, and virtual reality. SMEs reported that the toolkits enhanced understanding of older adults’ needs, validated design decisions, and inspired some new features. Perceived impacts included improved usability, expanded accessibility options, increased content variety, clearer instructional design, enhanced social components, and reduced operational costs. SMEs also reported some business benefits, including strengthened cases for investment and increased product uptake. Conclusions: Co-designed toolkits may offer a useful and cost-effective mechanism for translating older adults’ priorities into digital product development. SMEs perceived this toolkit as practical, relevant, and impactful for informing design choices. This approach may complement, but does not replace, direct user involvement. It may help accelerate inclusive digital-health innovation for aging populations.

Japan has one of the world's fastest-aging populations, but maintaining independence into very old age remains a growing public health challenge. Nearly 60% of Japanese adults aged 85 years and older…