How to improve mental health in the older adults through AI-enhanced physical activity: an emerging research topic

Abstract With the global rise in aging populations, the demand for healthcare and long-term care services has grown, particularly for addressing mental health. While AI has shown promise for health management of older adults, its effects on physical activity, mental health, and their associations re...

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Main Authors: Wen Fang, Sijing Fan, Hongyun Zheng, Zijian Fang, Yanwei You, Bo Yin, Baixia Li, Xinming Ye
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-06-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05155-6
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author Wen Fang
Sijing Fan
Hongyun Zheng
Zijian Fang
Yanwei You
Bo Yin
Baixia Li
Xinming Ye
author_facet Wen Fang
Sijing Fan
Hongyun Zheng
Zijian Fang
Yanwei You
Bo Yin
Baixia Li
Xinming Ye
author_sort Wen Fang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract With the global rise in aging populations, the demand for healthcare and long-term care services has grown, particularly for addressing mental health. While AI has shown promise for health management of older adults, its effects on physical activity, mental health, and their associations remain largely unexamined.This study aimed to investigate the role of AI in improving mental health among older adults through the promotion of physical activity and elucidating the underlying mechanisms.Bibliometric methods, including CiteSpace and VOSviewer, were employed to analyze 1831 publications, identifying trends, collaborations, hotspots, and potential applications in this domain.AI interventions significantly enhanced mental health in older adults by promoting physical activity. Prominent mechanisms included tailored psychological support, cognitive rehabilitation, and targeted cardiovascular and musculoskeletal interventions. These mechanisms drove better cognitive function, emotional regulation, and physical resilience. These interventions were supported in their effectiveness by biomarkers of BDNF, serotonin, and increased physical activity levels.The present study combines insights on AI, physical activity, and mental health to facilitate emerging research opportunities and practical applications. It highlights the importance of AI for individualized exercise interventions, smart health monitoring, and cognitive and emotional rehabilitation. These research insights provide important guidance for scholars and practitioners, helping them to more effectively leverage artificial intelligence technologies to address the growing mental health needs of aging societies. By systematically outlining the potential roles of AI in future interventions, this study contributes to advancing the use of AI-assisted physical activity to promote mental health in aging population life.
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spelling doaj-art-ee7bfe1eb2d34d498c72daef28f6991b2025-08-20T02:10:30ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-06-0112111510.1057/s41599-025-05155-6How to improve mental health in the older adults through AI-enhanced physical activity: an emerging research topicWen Fang0Sijing Fan1Hongyun Zheng2Zijian Fang3Yanwei You4Bo Yin5Baixia Li6Xinming Ye7East China University of Science and TechnologyEast China University of Science and TechnologyEast China University of Science and TechnologyUniversity of OxfordTsinghua UniversityTsinghua UniversityEast China University of Science and TechnologyEast China University of Science and TechnologyAbstract With the global rise in aging populations, the demand for healthcare and long-term care services has grown, particularly for addressing mental health. While AI has shown promise for health management of older adults, its effects on physical activity, mental health, and their associations remain largely unexamined.This study aimed to investigate the role of AI in improving mental health among older adults through the promotion of physical activity and elucidating the underlying mechanisms.Bibliometric methods, including CiteSpace and VOSviewer, were employed to analyze 1831 publications, identifying trends, collaborations, hotspots, and potential applications in this domain.AI interventions significantly enhanced mental health in older adults by promoting physical activity. Prominent mechanisms included tailored psychological support, cognitive rehabilitation, and targeted cardiovascular and musculoskeletal interventions. These mechanisms drove better cognitive function, emotional regulation, and physical resilience. These interventions were supported in their effectiveness by biomarkers of BDNF, serotonin, and increased physical activity levels.The present study combines insights on AI, physical activity, and mental health to facilitate emerging research opportunities and practical applications. It highlights the importance of AI for individualized exercise interventions, smart health monitoring, and cognitive and emotional rehabilitation. These research insights provide important guidance for scholars and practitioners, helping them to more effectively leverage artificial intelligence technologies to address the growing mental health needs of aging societies. By systematically outlining the potential roles of AI in future interventions, this study contributes to advancing the use of AI-assisted physical activity to promote mental health in aging population life.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05155-6
spellingShingle Wen Fang
Sijing Fan
Hongyun Zheng
Zijian Fang
Yanwei You
Bo Yin
Baixia Li
Xinming Ye
How to improve mental health in the older adults through AI-enhanced physical activity: an emerging research topic
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title How to improve mental health in the older adults through AI-enhanced physical activity: an emerging research topic
title_full How to improve mental health in the older adults through AI-enhanced physical activity: an emerging research topic
title_fullStr How to improve mental health in the older adults through AI-enhanced physical activity: an emerging research topic
title_full_unstemmed How to improve mental health in the older adults through AI-enhanced physical activity: an emerging research topic
title_short How to improve mental health in the older adults through AI-enhanced physical activity: an emerging research topic
title_sort how to improve mental health in the older adults through ai enhanced physical activity an emerging research topic
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05155-6
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