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CAMMInA: a mobile ambient information system to motivate elders to exercise

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Abstract

Several strategies have been identified for designing effective persuasive technology that encourages people to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. However, to implement these strategies for motivating elders to exercise, we need to take into account the elders’ particular characteristics, their needs, and the problems they face to exercise. This paper presents the results of a case study conducted to identify the factors that influence elders to maintain a regular exercise routine. These results enabled us to inform the design of an ambient information system, which by requiring minimal attention and cognitive effort from elders, makes them aware of relevant information that motivates them to exercise. To reach this end, the system implements the following strategies for persuading: abstraction, historical information and reflection, triggers for exercising, and positive and playful reinforcement. A system usability evaluation enabled us to validate these strategies for motivating elders.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the elders who participated in the case study and system evaluation, and to CONACyT and PROMEP for the scholarships granted to the second and fourth authors, respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering (Campus Mexicali), Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), Mexicali, Mexico

    Marcela D. Rodríguez & José R. Roa

  2. School of Computer Science (Campus Ensenada), Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), Ensenada, Mexico

    Alberto L. Morán & Sandra Nava-Muñoz

Authors
  1. Marcela D. Rodríguez
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  2. José R. Roa
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  3. Alberto L. Morán
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  4. Sandra Nava-Muñoz
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marcela D. Rodríguez.

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Rodríguez, M.D., Roa, J.R., Morán, A.L. et al. CAMMInA: a mobile ambient information system to motivate elders to exercise. Pers Ubiquit Comput 17, 1127–1134 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-012-0561-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-012-0561-y

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