The impact of digitalisation on the development of physical activity of older people (through the example of European Union countries).

Digital skills of the population had the strongest positive correlation with physical activity of people aged 60-74 across EU countries.

• Correlation coefficient was r = 0.781; p < 0.01.
• Sample comprised 27 European Union countries for 2015-2024.
• Physical activity indicators referred to the population aged 60-74 years.

Internet usage by older age groups was significantly and positively correlated with physical activity of older people.

• Correlation coefficient was r = 0.712; p < 0.01.
• Internet usage was measured for the same older age group as the physical activity indicator.

The e-Governance development index was significantly and positively correlated with physical activity of older people.

• Correlation coefficient was r = 0.637; p < 0.01.
• This was lower than the correlations for digital skills and internet usage.

Granger causality tests indicated that digital skills preceded changes in older people's physical activity in 18 EU countries.

• This was the largest number of countries among the three digital indicators tested.
• The Granger causality test was used to assess the direction of the identified relationships.

Internet usage preceded changes in physical activity in 16 EU countries, and e-Governance development did so in 13 EU countries.

• Granger causality results varied by country and indicator.
• The ordering by number of countries (digital skills 18, internet use 16, e-Governance 13) matches the ordering of correlation strengths.

The study used a panel of 27 EU countries over 2015-2024 with correlation analysis and Granger causality testing, with method choice guided by normality testing.

• Variables: physical activity of ages 60-74, internet use by this age group, digital skills of the population, e-Governance development index, and GDP per capita.
• The Shapiro-Wilk criterion was used to test data distribution normality and select statistical methods.
• Analyses were performed in Stata.

The authors conclude that digitalisation can be regarded as one of the factors for the development of physical activity in older people, with potential policy applications.

• Suggested uses include active longevity programs, digital inclusion of older citizens, and digital transformation projects in physical fitness and sports.