Motivational determinants of exergame participation for older people in Assisted Living facilities: a mixed methods study

Abstract
Introduction: Exergames (exercise based videogames) as a mode of delivering strength and balance exercise for older people are growing in popularity with the emergence of new Kinect based technologies, however little is known about the factors affecting their uptake and use with older people.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the factors that may influence the motivation of older people to use exergames to improve their physical function and reduce fall risk.
Methods: Mixed methods were employed in which fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with older people (n=12, aged 59-91 years) from two supportive housing facilities in the North West of the UK who participated in a 6 week trial of the exergames, one manager and one physiotherapist; 81 hours of observation and Technology Acceptance Model questionnaires were conducted.
Results: The findings suggest that the participants were intrinsically motivated to participate in the exergames due to the enjoyment experienced when playing the exergames and perceived improvements of their physical and mental health and/or social confidence. The social interaction provided in this study was an important extrinsic motivator which increased the intrinsic motivation to adhere to the exergame programme.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that exergames may be a promising tool for delivering falls prevention exercises and increasing adherence to exercise in older people. Understanding the motivation of older people to use exergames may assist in the process of implementation.