Fitness Trackers Help Senior Citizens Lose Weight

There are many ways that you can use technology to help you to chart, improve upon and plan your fitness routine. Whether you're young or young-at-heart, technological advances can tremendously help to customize workout plans and track your wellness.

According to the study published online in the journal, Obesity, fitness trackers may be effective in helping older people lose weight.

Researchers at Wake Forest University studied 48 obese adults ages 65-79 for 10 months — including five months of trying to lose weight and five months of follow-up.  Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups – one group given information about dieting and aerobic exercise or one group given the same information along with a fitness tracker and guidance on how to use it.

The study showed that the group who had the fitness trackers “weighed about 10 percent less than their baseline weight, while those without the trackers weighed only about 5 percent less.”

Researchers believe that the evidence shows that adding a fitness tracker and instruction (which researchers call a "self-regulatory intervention") to a fitness regimen may help senior citizens lose weight in addition to maintain that lower weight afterward.

"What this study shows is that this self-regulatory intervention appeared to improve weight loss and weight loss maintenance," said Corby Martin, director of Behavioral Science and Epidemiology at Pennington Biomedical Research Center and a spokesman for The Obesity Society.

As I mentioned in my blog, “The Future of Fitness,” on January 28, 2104, clients and reporters alike have asked me which innovations I’m most excited about introducing at Fitness for Health.  Personally, I am looking forward to the increased use of heart monitors in personal conditioning.  New Zypher monitors also act like bio markers which can record and track your physical health. This allows the wearer to know exactly how his/her body is reacting to his/her workout routines and helps fitness trainers better create personal exercise programs to meet that individual’s unique goals.

To learn how Fitness for Health utilizes cutting-edge technology in our exercise programs for senior citizens, visit www.FitnessForHealth.org.