The aim of the study was to assess the impact of proprioceptive training with the use of virtual reality (VR) on the level of postural stability of high–altitude workers. Twenty-one men working at height were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG) with training (n = 10) and control group (CG) without training (n = 11). Path length of the displacement of the center of pressure (COP) signal and its components in the anteroposterior and medial–lateral directions were measured with use of an AccuGaitTM force plate before and after intervention (6 weeks, 2 sessions × 30 min a week). Tests were performed at two different platform heights, with or without eyes open and with or without a dual task. Two–way ANOVA revealed statistically significant interaction effects for low–high threat, eyes open-eyes closed, and single task-dual task. Post-training values of average COP length were significantly lower in the EG than before training for all analyzed parameters. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the use of proprioceptive training with use of VR can support, or even replace, traditional methods of balance training.

Journal of Medical Internet Research - International Scientific Journal for Medical Research, Information and Communication on the Internet #Preprint #PeerReviewMe: Warning: This is a unreviewed preprint. Readers are warned that the document has not been peer-reviewed by expert/patient reviewers or an academic editor, may contain misleading claims, and is likely to undergo changes before final publication, if accepted, or may have been rejected/withdrawn. Readers with interest and expertise are encouraged to sign up as peer-reviewer, if the paper is within an open peer-review period. Please cite this preprint only for review purposes or for grant applications and CVs (if you are the author). Technology-assisted physical activity interventions for older adults in their home-based environment have been used to promote physical activity. While previous reviews focused on health-related outcomes of such interventions, this scoping review explores the characteristics of the technology in relation to the characteristics of populations, exercise types and usability in terms of adverse events, drop-outs, adherence and user experience. We identified 8496 sources. After title and abstract screening, 455 full texts were assessed, and 148 were included, representing 12,717 participants aged 74 (SD 6) years. In total, 93 (63%) sources reported on the population’s health status. The main purpose of the interventions was balance (51%), and strength and power (43%) and intervention purposes were not related to embedded technology. In studies where the participant’s health status was reported as healthy, 53% implemented exergames compared to only 27% in studies with participants with a clinical condition. Mobile apps (20%) and trackers (11%) were implemented likewise in both groups. The technology was embedded to provide continuous exercise information (27%) and exercise feedback (27%) or to record real-time movement data (26%). Adverse events were reported in 68 (46%) of the sources with three quarters (49 sources) reporting no adverse events. Only 2 mild events were related to technology. Dropout rates were reported in 100 (68%) studies, with no differences between intervention (16±16%) and control (14±12%) groups. Dropout reasons related to technology in 3%. Adherence was reported in 78 studies (53%) and was slightly higher in the intervention group (80±18%) compared to the control group (71±25%). A significantly higher adherence was found between interventions that were tailored (83 ± 15%) versus those that were not (75±21%). General enjoyment of the technology was captured in 55 studies (37%) and was rated positive (91%), neutral (7%) or negative (2%). Occasionally reported wishes were related to goal setting, feedback, technical support, exercise variation, and social setting. In conclusion, various technologies were successfully used in healthy and clinical older populations. The embedded technology was not a reason for additional dropouts, lead to slightly better adherence, and adverse events were rarely related to technology. When assessed, the technology was well accepted and positively enjoyed.

The purpose of the study was to analyze the level of postural stability and physical activity of at-height workers. The study included 34 healthy men aged 25–43. Two groups were identified based on the type of work they performed: at-height workers (HW) (n = 17), and office workers (OW) (n = 17). Physical activity, including physical activity at work, sports activity, and leisure, was assessed with a Baecke questionnaire. For evaluation of postural stability, the one-leg standing test with eyes open and closed was used. The HW group had a higher rate of average physical activity at work than the OW group (p = .000), whereas the OW group showed greater physical activity during leisure time (p = .000). No differences were found between the groups in terms of sports activity. Postural stability analysis shows that the HW group (p < .05) scored statistically significantly higher values in one-leg standing with eyes closed. The groups differed in terms of postural stability in favor of HW. At the same time, despite differences in particular aspects, the overall level of PA was similar. This may indicate that postural stability is rather affected by exposure to distress conditions.

Inadequate levels of physical activity among older people lead to a gradual decline in self-reliance and consequent dependence on other people. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of Nordic walking training with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber on the functional fitness of older women. Forty-two women (M_age = 64.7 ± 3.15 years) were randomly assigned into the experimental group—training with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber, EG (n = 21) and the control active group—training with classic poles, CG (n = 21). Functional fitness was measured with the Senior Fitness Test before and after an intervention lasting for 8 weeks (2 training sessions × 75 minutes per week). Two-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant interaction effects for aerobic endurance (F = 14.47, p < 0.001) and upper body strength (F = 5.98, p < 0.05), indicating greater improvement in the experimental group. Nordic walking training both with classic poles and with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber is beneficial for older people and improves functional fitness over a short time period. However, the poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber provide additional resistance effort during marching, which causes increased muscle activation and results in improved muscle strength and aerobic endurance. Based on these results, it can be concluded that this kind of training could be applied in the complex health programs of seniors.

This study aims to compare physical activity levels, esports-specific reaction times, self-evaluated health, and injuries between non-professional esports players (EPs) and non-players (NPs). Participants were healthy, with an average age of 22.7 ± 2.49 years and BMI of 25.5 ± 4.95 kg/m². Physical activity was quantified using the Baecke Questionnaire, while reaction times were measured with computer games. The analysis reveals that EPs exhibit significantly lower levels of physical activity compared to NPs (p < 0.05), underscoring the sedentary nature of esports. Despite this, EPs demonstrate superior reaction times (p < 0.001), suggesting cognitive enhancements associated with esports participation. EPs report increased incidences of gameplay-related discomfort (p = 0.025), highlighting health drawbacks of prolonged gaming. However, no significant differences were observed in overall self-evaluated health statuses and specific pain complaints between the groups, indicating a complex relationship between esports involvement and perceived health outcomes. These findings suggest that esports can offer cognitive benefits through improved reaction times but are also associated with reduced physical activity and increased reporting of discomfort. This dichotomy underscores the need for strategies that capitalize on the cognitive advantages of esports while mitigating its physical health risks, encouraging a more balanced engagement with the activity.

The purpose of the study was to analyze the effects of cognitive task and change of height on the postural stability and cardiovascular stress of at-height workers. The study included 32 healthy men aged 25–47. Due to the type of work performed, two groups were identified: at‒height workers, HW (n = 16), and office workers (mainly work at desk with a computer) OW (n = 16). The objective measures of postural stability (posturography) and cardiovascular stress (heart rate monitor) were evaluated for both groups at two different platform heights (ground level and 1 m above the ground) with or without cognitive task (backward counting). The increased height and the cognitive task were found to significantly affect measures of postural stability and cardiovascular stress. It was observed that in inexperienced OW employees, higher platform height and performing a cognitive task meant that posture stability significantly decreased, while cardiovascular stress and difficulties in maintaining balance increased. In HW group postural stability is less affected by distress conditions than in OW group.