Using Augmented Reality with Older Adults in the Community to Select Design Features for an Age-Friendly Park: A Pilot Study

Sedentary behavior is prevalent in older adults. Older adults often underutilize public parks for exercising because the parks do not support their needs and preferences. Engaging older adults on the redesign of parks may help promote active lifestyles. The objectives of this pilot study were to eva...

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Main Authors: Edgar R. Vieira, Fernanda Civitella, Jorge Carreno, Miburge G. Junior, Cesar F. Amorim, Newton D’Souza, Ebru Ozer, Francisco Ortega, Jansen A. Estrázulas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-01-01
Series:Journal of Aging Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8341034
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author Edgar R. Vieira
Fernanda Civitella
Jorge Carreno
Miburge G. Junior
Cesar F. Amorim
Newton D’Souza
Ebru Ozer
Francisco Ortega
Jansen A. Estrázulas
author_facet Edgar R. Vieira
Fernanda Civitella
Jorge Carreno
Miburge G. Junior
Cesar F. Amorim
Newton D’Souza
Ebru Ozer
Francisco Ortega
Jansen A. Estrázulas
author_sort Edgar R. Vieira
collection DOAJ
description Sedentary behavior is prevalent in older adults. Older adults often underutilize public parks for exercising because the parks do not support their needs and preferences. Engaging older adults on the redesign of parks may help promote active lifestyles. The objectives of this pilot study were to evaluate (1) the effects of wearing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) glasses on balance; (2) the effects of different virtual walls separating the walking trail from the roadway on older adults’ gait, and (3) the preferences of the participants regarding wall design and other features. The participants were ten older adults (68 ± 5 years) who lived within two miles from the park. Balance and gait were assessed using a force plate and an instrumented mat. It was feasible to use AR with older adults in the park to evaluate features for redesign. Motion sickness was not an issue when using AR glasses, but balance was affected when wearing VR goggles. The area of postural sway increased approximately 25% when wearing AR glasses, and it increased by close to 70% when wearing VR goggles compared to no glasses. This difference is clinically relevant; however, we did not have enough power to identify the differences as statistically significant because of the small sample size and large variability. Different walls did not significantly affect the participants’ gait either because they did not alter the way they walked or because the holograms were insufficiently realistic to cause changes. The participants preferred a transparent wall rather than tall or short solid walls to separate the park from the roadway.
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spelling doaj-art-d2146e8aec944bb2a6c1af3f4868b5b92025-08-20T02:19:43ZengWileyJournal of Aging Research2090-22042090-22122020-01-01202010.1155/2020/83410348341034Using Augmented Reality with Older Adults in the Community to Select Design Features for an Age-Friendly Park: A Pilot StudyEdgar R. Vieira0Fernanda Civitella1Jorge Carreno2Miburge G. Junior3Cesar F. Amorim4Newton D’Souza5Ebru Ozer6Francisco Ortega7Jansen A. Estrázulas8Department of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, AHC3-430, Miami, FL, USADepartment of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, AHC3-430, Miami, FL, USADepartment of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, AHC3-430, Miami, FL, USADepartment of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, AHC3-430, Miami, FL, USADepartment of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, AHC3-430, Miami, FL, USADepartment of Interior Architecture, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, PCA 387b, Miami, FL 33199, USADepartment of Landscape Architecture + Environmental and Urban Design, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., PCA 374A, Miami, FL 33199, USADepartment of Computer Science, Colorado State University, 1873 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1873, USADepartment of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, AHC3-430, Miami, FL, USASedentary behavior is prevalent in older adults. Older adults often underutilize public parks for exercising because the parks do not support their needs and preferences. Engaging older adults on the redesign of parks may help promote active lifestyles. The objectives of this pilot study were to evaluate (1) the effects of wearing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) glasses on balance; (2) the effects of different virtual walls separating the walking trail from the roadway on older adults’ gait, and (3) the preferences of the participants regarding wall design and other features. The participants were ten older adults (68 ± 5 years) who lived within two miles from the park. Balance and gait were assessed using a force plate and an instrumented mat. It was feasible to use AR with older adults in the park to evaluate features for redesign. Motion sickness was not an issue when using AR glasses, but balance was affected when wearing VR goggles. The area of postural sway increased approximately 25% when wearing AR glasses, and it increased by close to 70% when wearing VR goggles compared to no glasses. This difference is clinically relevant; however, we did not have enough power to identify the differences as statistically significant because of the small sample size and large variability. Different walls did not significantly affect the participants’ gait either because they did not alter the way they walked or because the holograms were insufficiently realistic to cause changes. The participants preferred a transparent wall rather than tall or short solid walls to separate the park from the roadway.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8341034
spellingShingle Edgar R. Vieira
Fernanda Civitella
Jorge Carreno
Miburge G. Junior
Cesar F. Amorim
Newton D’Souza
Ebru Ozer
Francisco Ortega
Jansen A. Estrázulas
Using Augmented Reality with Older Adults in the Community to Select Design Features for an Age-Friendly Park: A Pilot Study
Journal of Aging Research
title Using Augmented Reality with Older Adults in the Community to Select Design Features for an Age-Friendly Park: A Pilot Study
title_full Using Augmented Reality with Older Adults in the Community to Select Design Features for an Age-Friendly Park: A Pilot Study
title_fullStr Using Augmented Reality with Older Adults in the Community to Select Design Features for an Age-Friendly Park: A Pilot Study
title_full_unstemmed Using Augmented Reality with Older Adults in the Community to Select Design Features for an Age-Friendly Park: A Pilot Study
title_short Using Augmented Reality with Older Adults in the Community to Select Design Features for an Age-Friendly Park: A Pilot Study
title_sort using augmented reality with older adults in the community to select design features for an age friendly park a pilot study
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8341034
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