Optimizing outdoor fitness equipment training for older adults: Benefits and future directions for healthy aging

The Effect of Resistance Training with Outdoor Fitness Equipment on the Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Physical Health of Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Research studies on resistance training usually utilize at least six exercises [36], and a minimum dose has been identified as necessary to produce adaptations, ranging from low-volume and high-intensity to high-volume and low-intensity. However, resistance training with OFE is considered to be low-to moderate-intensity resistance training [11], and it is therefore considered necessary to utilize a sufficient volume in order to achieve body adaptations [14]. More research is needed to determine what the minimum volume of OFE training should be to produce adaptations.…”

“…This allows anyone, regardless of their prior knowledge or experience, to engage in physical activity. In addition, the outdoor and accessible nature of these environments encourages interaction and mutual support among users, enhancing their exercise experience [14,15].…”

“…However, despite the growing amount of OFE in parks, studies on its specific effects on the health and well-being of adults and older adults are limited [16,17]. Indeed, a recent narrative review suggests that while OFE may have the potential to improve the health of users, there is a great lack of rigorous experimental studies demonstrating its actual effects in the medium to long term [14]. In line with this, most of the previous research has been based on a small number of machines or on a small sample size or has not focused on health-related variables [16,18].…”

Results from the ENJOY MAP for HEALTH: a quasi experiment evaluating the impact of age-friendly outdoor exercise equipment to increase older people’s park visitations and physical activity

“…In recent years, the availability of outdoor exercise equipment in local parks has become quite popular as an active space to exercise for outdoor leisure [ 12 – 14 ]. The usage of outdoor exercise equipment for older people has also shown various health benefits [ 15 , 16 ] with emerging evidence for the need to create well designed active spaces with age-suitable exercise equipment [ 17 – 19 ].…”

Physical and psychological effects of outdoor fitness equipment training on middle-aged and older adults: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

“… 5 A recent review demonstrates that OFE training programmes have the potential to improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, flexibility and balance and reduce falls while improving quality of life, alleviating depression and anxiety and increasing self-esteem. 6 However, the authors suggest that more rigorous research is needed to understand the psychophysiological and social effects on health comprehensively.…”