EFFECTS OF AN INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY-BASED EXERCISE PROGRAM ON YOUNG ADULTS’ PHYSICAL AND PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL STATE

Many people spend long hours sitting each day, and a large part of the population remains physically inactive, even if they occasionally meet minimum exercise recom­mendations. Such sedentary lifestyles can contribute to health problems, particularly during young adulthood (18–29 years), a period often marked by major life chan­ges, weight fluctuations, and reduced activity levels. At the same time, young people increasingly engage with digital technologies and mobile applications, which cre­ates opportunities to support healthier behaviors and pro­mote well-being.

Study aim was to investigate the effects of an interactive technology-based exercise program on the physical and psychoemotional state in young adults.

Methods. A study was conducted with 42 students divi­ded into an intervention group (n = 21) or control group (n = 21). The intervention group participated in a three-week interactive technology–based exercise program de­livered through a mobile application, combining aerobic, balance, strength, and breathing exercises five times per week, while the control group received no intervention. Outcomes were assessed before and after the program and included handgrip strength, functional movement (FMS), static balance (Stork test), respiratory function (Henche, Stange tests, and spirometry), and perceived stress (PSS-10).

Results. The intervention group improved handgrip strength (right: +3.9 kg; left: +2.7 kg), functional move­ment (+1.5 points), and balance (right: +8.1 s; left: +9.9 s; all p < 0.05), while no significant changes occurred in the control group. Between-group analysis showed a significant difference only for functional movement (p < 0.05). Respiratory outcomes did not change nota­bly, except for a small improvement in the Henche test (+6.1 s, p < 0.05) within the intervention group. Stress levels decreased significantly in the intervention group compared with controls (−2.7 vs. +0.8 points, p < 0.05).

Conclusions. The interactive technology-based exer­cise program may contribute to improvements in mus­cle strength, functional movement, balance, and stress reduction in young adults, although no significant effects were observed on respiratory function.