As part of the second funding phase of AEQUIPA (Physical activity and health equity: primary prevention for healthy aging), the TUMAL (technology-supported motivation to maintain activity and quality of life) study is carried out in the Technology subproject.

The aim of the TUMAL study is to integrate, further develop and test the previous technical and medical results from the first project funding phase in order to realize an innovative and technology-based early detection of functional degradation in older people. For this purpose, technical systems are being developed which enable older people to carry out independent, partially supervised performance of established assessments of physical performance in environments such as senior citizens' clubs or sports clubs.

In the current second funding phase, a so-called "measuring box" is being developed in the subproject TUMAL, in which senior citizens can carry out particularly sensitive tests under video instruction independently:

• 5-Time-Chair-Rise - five times getting up from a chair
• Timed-up-and-Go (TuG) - getting up from a chair, running 3 meters back and forth and sitting down
• Nutritional screening based on the Short Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF)

By means of the portable inertial sensors and ambient sensor technology successfully used in AEQUIPA I, the test subjects are measured during the execution of these tests and the performance quality is evaluated.

The Heidelberg University will continue to accompany part of the VERSA cohort in assessments and compare the results with those of the measuring box data. The Jade-HS will examine both the usability and the acceptance of the measurement method in the various public or semi-public spaces and examine to what extent the older people can be motivated for a regular survey. On the basis of the regular test, specific programs for movement and nutritional interventions will be developed, which should counteract the reduction of physical performance.

As part of the project, the measuring box will be installed both at the university and at least one sports club, where it can be used as often as required by older people.

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (02/18 -07/19)

Involved partners

Geriatrisches Zentrum am Agaplesion Bethanien Krankenhaus Heidelberg, Lehrstuhl für Geriatrie der Universität Heidelberg

Jade Hochschule Oldenburg, Abteilung Technik und Gesundheit für Menschen

OFFIS - Institut für Informatik,  Bereich Gesundheit