Culturally Adapted Digital Strength Training for Seniors: Evaluating Physical and Psychological Outcomes of the Strength Training Digital Coach for Seniors (STDCS) Program in Singapore
Aaron Chen Angus, Joyce Ng, Toh Yi Jun, Sonia Lau, Brian Chan, Islynn Tan, Bernard Loke, Shawn Quck

Republic Polytechnic
Jiaying Community Services Society
Biologic Technik

Abstract

The Strength Training Digital Coach for Seniors (STDCS) program was designed to improve the physical health, prevent falls, and enhance the quality of life for older adults in Singapore through accessible, culturally tailored strength training. This study evaluated the program^s impact on physical health outcomes, user engagement, and motivation, emphasizing the role of media personalities in health advocacy. A quasi-experimental study recruited 138 seniors (aged 65+) from Jiaying Active Ageing Centre, implementing an eight-week intervention with thrice-weekly strength and mobility sessions via an interactive digital platform. Assessments at baseline and post-intervention measured body composition, functional fitness, and user experience, using paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, effect size calculations, and regression analysis.

Results revealed significant improvements in body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, and fitness scores among participants with high adherence (p < 0.05), while the control group showed no significant changes. Surveys reported high satisfaction and perceived well-being improvements in physical health, social skills, and cognitive abilities. User engagement positively correlated with health outcomes, and focus group discussions with media advocates highlighted their role in enhancing content relevance and motivation.

The STDCS program effectively improved seniors^ physical health and engagement, demonstrating the value of culturally relevant content and media-driven advocacy in fostering adherence. These findings underscore the potential scalability of customized digital health interventions for diverse older populations, offering valuable insights for addressing global ageing challenges.

Keywords: Digital Health Interventions, Strength Training for Seniors, Culturally Relevant Exercise Programs, Health Advocacy, Functional Fitness, Senior Engagement, Elderly Population Health

Topic: Public Health