How to develop physical activity programs for elderly to facilitate their motivation to follow physical activity recommendations? : a Social Determination Theory – based approach

A decline of functional ability is often associated with increasing age. To maintain physical functioning, physical activity is a solution. But many elderly do not act according to the recommended guideline. The aim of the present study is to develop a prototype that facilitates the motivation to follow physical activity recommendations. Based on the literature, the self – determination theory (SDT) is identified as a suitable framework for the development of a physical activity program. The study was conducted in three phases. First, semi - structured interviews were held with 14 German elderly to get a better understanding of user requirements. These results were translated into functional requirements of the prototype in combination with high or low SDT strategies in the prototypes. For the evaluation a usability study with 10 German elderly was carried out. 9 from 10 respondents preferred the SDT (+) prototype. Autonomy – supportive features like having multiple choices were evaluated positively. There were mixed results for the strategy of guilt – inducing language in the SDT (-) prototype. In this study, the competence supporting strategies seemed to have the most decisive contribution. This study provided a first approach on how a prototype could be built on SDT principles.