Previous studies included in meta-analyses have highlighted the effects of physical activity on the physical and psychological health of older adults living in care settings. We conducted a systematic review of meta-analyses, of institutionalized older adults, to evaluate and conduct a narrative synthesis of the results of these meta-analyses. A literature search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) until 22 March 2023. After screening the identified articles with the PRISMA criteria filters, we included 11 meta-analyses in this systematic review. Higgins’ (2013) assessment tool of the meta-analyses demonstrates that the studies were of good quality although future meta-analyses need to provide more information on the treatment of missing data. A summary of the results of these meta-analyses shows that physical activity reduces the rate of falls, mobility issues, functional dependence, and depression, and improves health status. Future studies need to focus on new ways to promote and adapt physical activities to increase the participation of older adults in care settings.
In developed countries, the increasing number of older adults raises many public health challenges. Physical activity can enable healthy aging, as it is beneficial for both mental and physical health. Despite this, not all older adults engage in physical activity or have access to it. To counteract this, new physical practices such as SnacktivityTM, giant games and immersive virtual reality exercises are being developed. The main objective of this rapid narrative review is to summarize the effects of SnacktivityTM, giant games and immersive Virtual Reality (VR) exercise among older adults living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. A scientific review was performed using the search engines PubMed, PsycInfo and Web of Science on 7 July 2022. Fifty-nine items are identified in total, and five items are included in the literature review. Synthesis of the studies shows that immersive virtual reality and giant games improve the motivation and enjoyment of older adults and are beneficial for their functional abilities. Furthermore, no interventional studies have tested the effect of SnacktivityTM in older adults. This review suggests that future studies should be conducted to further explore the effects of these new physical activity practices in older adults living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.
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