The Future of Fitness: Healthy Ageing in 2050

The Future of Fitness: Healthy Ageing in 2050

Throughout this semester, I’ve explored the ever-evolving landscape of the fitness industry using the concepts learned in Future Cultures. Beginning with a look into the future of running in 2030, I examined the promise of technology revolutionising how we train and compete. Building on that foundation, I then shifted focus to the niche yet increasingly important field of healthy ageing, exploring the possibilities that awaited us in 2040.

Working in the fitness industry, particularly with older adults, has made me deeply consider the future of healthy ageing. As I look ahead to 2050, I see myself at 48 years old and part of the demographic I currently work with. This personal connection drives my curiosity about where fitness and healthy ageing are headed, especially as technology continues to advance.

Reflecting on where technology was in the late 90s, we can see how much has changed in the fitness industry, particularly for older adults. Back then, exercise culture for this demographic was limited, with basic aerobics classes and rudimentary gym equipment. The concept of tailored fitness programs and the integration of advanced technology were still in their infancy. Now, as we look towards 2050, the advancements we’ve seen provide a foundation for imagining even more transformative changes.

In this post, I will continue exploring healthy ageing within the fitness industry, looking further into the future at the year 2050. Using Wendell Bell’s Futures Framework, we’ll examine the possible, probable, and preferable futures of healthy ageing and how advanced technology will play a pivotal role in transforming the fitness experiences of older adults.

Possible Futures

Technological advancements like nano-robotics and regenerative medicine could revolutionise healthy ageing by 2050. Nano-robots might be injected into the body to repair tissue damage, reverse ageing processes, and enhance physical capabilities, allowing older adults to maintain peak fitness levels. This aligns with the subject concept of “cyborg,” where technology integrates with the human body, supporting genetic and bio-mechanical enhancements.

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) could facilitate direct neural control over fitness equipment or virtual reality environments, creating immersive cognitive-enhancing fitness experiences tailored to individual brain patterns. According to a review by Behboodi et al. (2024), BCIs hold potential for motor rehabilitation and neuro-feedback training, supporting their use in fitness. Older adults could use BCIs to control avatars in virtual environments, engaging in activities that require both physical exertion and cognitive engagement.

AI systems could digitise the expertise of renowned personal trainers, providing customised virtual coaching. Imagine a fully immersive Fitness Metaverse, where people worldwide exercise together in shared digital spaces, fostering global fitness communities. Robotic fitness assistants could demonstrate exercises, correct form, and provide motivation, reducing the risk of injury. These advancements could significantly improve mobility, cognitive function, and social interaction for older adults, though access and affordability must be addressed.

Probable Futures

By 2050, personalized nutrition and supplementation will likely be the norm. A report by Allied Market Research (2022) forecasts the global personalised nutrition market to reach $16.6 billion by 2030, driven by advancements in wearable technology, AI, and genomics. Continuous health monitoring and machine learning algorithms will enable highly personalised nutritional plans and supplement regimens, adjusted in real-time.

Smart Home Gyms could become increasingly intelligent, adapting to individual preferences, tracking progress, and providing real-time coaching. An review on smart homes and the use of technology among ageing population highlights the effectiveness of smart home technologies in promoting physical activity among older populations. The integration of telemedicine and remote fitness coaching could offer older adults access to virtual fitness coaches and personalised exercise plans from home. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards hybrid and online training models, with the online fitness industry projected to grow by 33% per year between 2021 and 2028.

Augmented Reality (AR) applications could overlay digital fitness data, instructions, and interactive environments onto the real world, enhancing the exercise experience and providing real-time feedback. The global AR market is expected to reach $88.4 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 42.9% from 2020 to 2026. These trends indicate a future where technology plays a central role in proactive health management and holistic support for older adults, though data privacy and rural access to technology must be addressed.

Preferable Futures

In an ideal future, fitness for older adults will be inclusive, accessible, and focused on promoting overall well-being. Policies and community initiatives will foster social connections and support networks, ensuring equitable access to healthy ageing benefits. The World Health Organisation’s Age-Friendly Cities framework supports creating environments that encourage active ageing and social participation.

Fitness programs will integrate physical exercise, mental stimulation, social connection, and preventive healthcare strategies tailored to older adults’ needs. Cities will feature age-friendly infrastructure, including accessible outdoor fitness spaces, walking paths, and integrated technologies encouraging physical activity and social engagement. Intergenerational fitness initiatives will foster connections through shared activities, enabling older adults to engage with younger generations. Technology will create inclusive fitness solutions, with AI-driven personal trainers, VR exercise environments, and wearable health monitors enhancing the fitness experience. The subject content explores “human-AI partnerships,” where AI augments human abilities rather than replaces them.

Policies could include subsidies for home fitness technology for low-income seniors, ensuring advancements are accessible to all, reducing health disparities. The subject content emphasises the role of futures studies in shaping preferable futures and guiding decision-making towards desired outcomes.

As we look toward 2050, technological advancements promise to revolutionise healthy ageing in the fitness industry. By considering possible, probable, and preferable futures using Wendell Bell’s Framework, we envision nano-robotics, BCIs, AI-driven personal trainers, and smart home gyms enhancing mobility, cognitive function, and social interaction for older adults. Addressing access, affordability, and ethical considerations is crucial to ensure these benefits are widely available. By fostering inclusive policies and community initiatives, we can create a future where everyone, regardless of age or socioeconomic status, can enjoy a healthy, active, and fulfilling life.

Let’s shape a future where technology empowers us to achieve an active lifestyle and good health as we age.

Images:

1. Image 1: Generated by DALL-E, depicting fit older adults staying active and healthy through the help of advanced technology in the year 2050. The scene shows a modern fitness center with older adults using AI-driven exercise machines, augmented reality glasses, and engaging in virtual reality fitness environments. Some are interacting with robotic fitness assistants, demonstrating the seamless integration of advanced fitness technology into their exercise routines.
2. Image 2: Graphic comparing 1999 model treadmill to 2024 model treadmill. Original images derived from NordicTrack and ManualsLib
3. Generated by DallE, given the prompt: Nanorobotics for Tissue Repair: Nanorobots could be injected into the body to repair damaged tissues, reverse ageing processes, and enhance physical capabilities.
4. Generated by DallE: Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs): BCIs could enable direct neural control over fitness equipment and virtual reality environments, creating immersive exercise experiences.
5. Generated by DallE: AI-Personalised Training: AI systems could digitize the expertise of renowned personal trainers, offering customised virtual coaching experiences.
6. Generated by DallE: Fitness Metaverse: A fully immersive Fitness Metaverse could allow individuals from around the world to exercise together in shared digital spaces.
7. Generated by DallE: Regenerative Medicine: Advanced regenerative medicine techniques could enhance physical capabilities and longevity.
8. Generated by DallE: Robotic Fitness Assistants: Robots could assist older adults by demonstrating exercises, correcting form, and providing motivation.
9. Generated by DallE: Personalised Nutrition and Supplementation: Continuous health monitoring and machine learning algorithms enable real-time personalized nutritional plans and supplements.
10. Generated by DallE: Smart Home Gyms: Futuristic smart home gyms that adapt to individual preferences, track progress, and provide real-time coaching.
11. Generated by DallE: Telemedicine Integration: Integration of telemedicine with remote fitness coaching.
12. Generated by DallE: Augmented Reality (AR) Applications: AR applications enhance exercise experiences for older adults.
13. Generated by DallE: Wearable Health Monitors: Advanced wearables track vital signs, physical activity, and other health metrics.
14. Generated by DallE: Holistic Health Management: An advanced health app integrates fitness tracking, dietary advice, and mental health resources for comprehensive health management.

Reference List:

• Bell, W., 1998. Making people responsible: The possible, the probable, and the preferable. American Behavioral Scientist, 42(3), pp.323-339.
• Allied Market Research 2022, Personalized Nutrition Market Trends, Size | Industry Growth 2021-2030, Allied Market Research.
• Behboodi, A, Kline, J, Gravunder, A, Phillips, C, Parker, SM & Damiano, DL 2024, ‘Development and evaluation of a BCI-neurofeedback system with real-time EEG detection and electrical stimulation assistance during motor attempt for neurorehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy’, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, vol. 18.
• Manuals Lib 1999, LIFE FITNESS 9500HR USER MANUAL Pdf Download, ManualsLib, viewed 17 May 2024, <https://www.manualslib.com/manual/694582/Life-Fitness-9500hr.html>.
• Markets and Markets 2018, Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market Size, Growth, Trend and Forecast to 2025 | MarketsandMarkets, Marketsandmarkets.com.
• NordicTrack 2024, NordicTrack X32i Incline Trainer Treadmill Commercial, World Fitness, viewed 13 May 2024, <https://worldfitness.com.au/products/nordictrack-x32i-incline-trainer-treadmill-commercial>.
• Oyibo, K, Wang, K & Morita, PP 2023, ‘Using Smart Home Technologies to Promote Physical Activity Among the General and Aging Populations: Scoping Review’, Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 25, no. 1, p. e41942.
• Rizzo, N 2021, Fitness Industry Statistics 2021-2028 [Market Research], Run Review.
  Washington Post 1997, ‘EXERCISE NOTHING TO FEAR’, Washington Post, 24 February <https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/wellness/1997/01/28/exercise-nothing-to-fear/4d72a437-0ec6-47e2-85d5-3898f50fb509/>.
• World Health Organisation n.d., The WHO Age-friendly Cities Framework, Age-Friendly World.

Acknowledgement of Generative AI Use

This blog post was produced with the assistance of ChatGPT and Claude. Images were generated through the use of DALL-E.  I utilised Voicebooking to create the voice over for my video.