Abstract

Introduction: Bingocize® (BGZ), a health promotion physical activity intervention has shown to benefit community dwelling older adults in the United States of America. The study aim was to trial the digital version of BGZ, available via electronic tablet devices with older people residing in the East of England.

Methods: A BGZ intervention group (n11, mean age: 73.5 ± 6.4 years), and a non-intervention control group (n11, mean age: 66 ± 4.8 years) were tested before and after a 10-week period on a range of 1) physical measures: body mass, body mass index, resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) tests, 2) responses to the Falls Self-efficacy and Activates of Daily Living scales, and 3) computerised assessments of executive function.

Results: The BGZ intervention group revealed greater improvements with the following outcome measures: diastolic blood pressure (bpm), 77.9 (±10.10) to 73.5 (±9.5); 2nd gait speed walking test (s), 2.7 (±0.4) to 2.5s (±0.3); repeated chair sit-to-stand time (s), 14.0 (±3.5) to 10.6 (±2.4); repeated chair sit-to-stand test score (0-4), 2.5 (±1.0) to 3.5 (±0.8), and; Total SPPB Score, 10.4 (±1.2) to 11.5 (±0.8) (all p<0.05). No differences were found with all other outcomes (all p>0.05).

Conclusion: Participation in BGZ led to several physical and functional benefits for older adults. Importantly, BGZ did not illustrate any participant regression on any other tested outcomes.