Staying physically active during the COVID-19 quarantine: exploring the feasibility of live, online, group training sessions among older adults

Hadar Schwartz, Itai Har-Nir, Tamar Wenhoda, Israel Halperin, Hadar Schwartz, Itai Har-Nir, Tamar Wenhoda, Israel Halperin

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to recurring quarantines resulting in drastic reductions in physical activity (PA) levels. Given its health benefits, there is a need to explore strategies to increase PA rates during this period. Video-conferencing platforms can be used to deliver live, online, group PA sessions. However, there are only few established PA protocols on how to use such platforms. Hence, the purposes of this study were to (a) design an online PA protocol and (b) explore its feasibility among older adults during a quarantine. A group of exercise specialists developed a PA protocol while accounting for challenges that may arise when using a video-conferencing platform ("Zoom"). A special focus was placed on safety, individualization, and motivational aspects. Then, 31 community dwelling older adults (71.5 ± 4 years) were recruited via social media to follow this protocol twice a week for 8 weeks. Outcome measures included adverse events, adherence rates, and satisfaction with the protocol, its delivery, and technological aspects. Twenty-eight participants completed the protocol. No adverse events occurred, and adherence rates were high (90%). Most participants (97%) indicated they would participate in such a program in the future and highly rated all aspects of the protocol (median score >6 in 1-7 Likert scales). The PA protocol delivered live via a video-conferencing platform was found to be safe and feasible with this cohort. It can therefore be implemented in practice, and in future studies planning to utilize home-based PA sessions for older adults.

Keywords: Coronavirus; Older adults; Physical inactivity; Quarantine; eHealth.

© Society of Behavioral Medicine 2021. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

References

    1. Meyer J, McDowell C, Lansing J, et al. Changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior in response to COVID-19 and their associations with mental health in 3052 US Adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17(18): 6469.
    1. Cunningham C, O’ Sullivan R, Caserotti P, Tully MA. Consequences of physical inactivity in older adults: a systematic review of reviews and meta-analyses. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2020;30(5):816–827.
    1. Kohl HW 3rd, Craig CL, Lambert EV, et al. The pandemic of physical inactivity: global action for public health. Lancet. 2012;380(9838):294–305.
    1. Kraschnewski JL, Sciamanna CN, Poger JM, et al. Is strength training associated with mortality benefits? A 15 year cohort study of US older adults. Prev Med. 2016;87:121–127.
    1. World Health Organization. Global recommendations on physical activity for health; 2010. Available at: . Accessibility verified October 3, 2020.
    1. Hammami A, Harrabi B, Mohr M, Krustrup P. Physical activity and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): specific recommendations for home-based physical training. Manag Sport Leis. 2020:1–6. doi:10.1080/23750472.2020.1757494.
    1. American College of Sports Medicine. Staying active during the Coronavirus pandemic; 2020. Available at: . Accessibility verified October 4, 2020.
    1. World Health Organization. Stay physically active during self-quarantine; 2020. Available at: . Accessibility verified October 3, 2020.
    1. Kwan RYC, Salihu D, Lee PH, et al. The effect of e-health interventions promoting physical activity in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act. 2020;17(1):7.
    1. Kane LT, Thakar O, Jamgochian G, et al. The role of telehealth as a platform for postoperative visits following rotator cuff repair: a prospective, randomized controlled trial. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2020;29(4):775–783.
    1. Dal Bello-Haas VP, O’Connell ME, Morgan DG, Crossley M. Lessons learned: feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth-delivered exercise intervention for rural-dwelling individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Rural Remote Health 2014; 14(3): 2715.
    1. Galiano-Castillo N, Cantarero-Villanueva I, Fernández-Lao C, et al. Telehealth system: a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of an internet-based exercise intervention on quality of life, pain, muscle strength, and fatigue in breast cancer survivors. Cancer. 2016;122(20):3166–3174.
    1. Rawstorn JC, Gant N, Direito A, Beckmann C, Maddison R. Telehealth exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Heart. 2016;102(15):1183–1192.
    1. Tsai LL, McNamara RJ, Moddel C, Alison JA, McKenzie DK, McKeough ZJ. Home-based telerehabilitation via real-time videoconferencing improves endurance exercise capacity in patients with COPD: the randomized controlled TeleR Study. Respirology. 2017;22(4):699–707.
    1. Middleton A, Simpson KN, Bettger JP, Bowden MG. COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: considerations and costs of telehealth exercise programs for older adults with functional impairments living at home-lessons learned from a pilot case study. Phys Ther. 2020;100(8):1278–1288.
    1. Hong J, Kong HJ, Yoon HJ. Web-based telepresence exercise program for community-dwelling elderly women with a high risk of falling: randomized controlled trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2018;6(5):e132.
    1. Hong J, Kim J, Kim SW, Kong HJ. Effects of home-based tele-exercise on sarcopenia among community-dwelling elderly adults: body composition and functional fitness. Exp Gerontol. 2017;87(Pt A):33–39.
    1. Vestergaard S, Kronborg C, Puggaard L. Home-based video exercise intervention for community-dwelling frail older women: a randomized controlled trial. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2008;20(5):479–486.
    1. Geraedts H, Zijlstra A, Bulstra SK, Stevens M, Zijlstra W. Effects of remote feedback in home-based physical activity interventions for older adults: a systematic review. Patient Educ Couns. 2013;91(1):14–24.
    1. Muellmann S, Forberger S, Möllers T, Bröring E, Zeeb H, Pischke CR. Effectiveness of eHealth interventions for the promotion of physical activity in older adults: a systematic review. Prev Med. 2018;108: 93–110.
    1. Mascarenhas MN, Chan JM, Vittinghoff E, Van Blarigan EL, Hecht F. Increasing physical activity in mothers using video exercise groups and exercise mobile apps: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2018;20(5):e179.
    1. Quinn L, Macpherson C, Long K, Shah H. Promoting physical activity via telehealth in people with Parkinson disease: the path forward after the COVID-19 pandemic? Phys Ther. 2020;100(10):1730–1736.
    1. Gentil P, Bottaro M. Influence of supervision ratio on muscle adaptations to resistance training in nontrained subjects. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(3):639–643.
    1. Ratamess NA, Faigenbaum AD, Hoffman JR, Kang J. Self-selected resistance training intensity in healthy women: the influence of a personal trainer. J Strength Cond Res. 2008;22(1):103–111.
    1. McAuley E, Blissmer B, Katula J, Duncan TE. Exercise environment, self-efficacy, and affective responses to acute exercise in older adults. Psychol Health. 2000;15(3):341–355.
    1. Yorks DM, Frothingham CA, Schuenke MD. Effects of group fitness classes on stress and quality of life of medical students. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2017;117(11):e17–e25.
    1. Banskota S, Healy M, Goldberg EM. 15 smartphone apps for older adults to use while in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. West J Emerg Med. 2020;21(3):514–525.
    1. Anderson M, Perrin A. Technology use among seniors. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech.; 2017. Available at: . Accessibility verified October 3, 2020.
    1. Picorelli AMA, Pereira LSM, Pereira DS, Felício D, Sherrington C. Adherence to exercise programs for older people is influenced by program characteristics and personal factors: a systematic review. J Physiother. 2014;60(3):151–156.
    1. Bohannon RW. Measurement of Sit-to-Stand among older adults. Top Geriatr Rehabil. 2012;28(1):11–16.
    1. Sparling PB, Howard BJ, Dunstan DW, Owen N. Recommendations for physical activity in older adults. BMJ. 2015;350:h100.
    1. American college of Sports Medicine, A. C. of S. ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013.
    1. Thomas S, Mackintosh S, Halbert J. Does the ‘Otago exercise programme’ reduce mortality and falls in older adults?: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Age Ageing. 2010;39(6):681–687.
    1. Borg GA. Borg’s Perceived Exertion and Pain Scales. Stockholm, Sweden: Human Kinetics; 1998.
    1. Jiménez-Pavón D, Carbonell-Baeza A, Lavie CJ. Physical exercise as therapy to fight against the mental and physical consequences of COVID-19 quarantine: special focus in older people. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2020;63(3):386–388.
    1. Halperin I, Emanuel A. Rating of perceived effort: methodological concerns and future directions. Sports Med. 2020;50(4):679–687.
    1. Fox LD, Rejeski WJ, Gauvin L. Effects of leadership style and group dynamics on enjoyment of physical activity. Am J Health Promot. 2000;14(5):277–283.
    1. Wulf G, Chiviacowsky S, Lewthwaite R. Altering mindset can enhance motor learning in older adults. Psychol Aging. 2012;27(1):14–21.
    1. Deci EL, Ryan RM. The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychol Inq. 2000;11(4):227–268.
    1. Halperin I, Wulf G, Vigotsky AD, Schoenfeld BJ, Behm DG. Autonomy: a missing ingredient of a successful program? Strength Cond J. 2018;40(4):18–25.
    1. Focht BC, Garver MJ, Cotter JA, Devor ST, Lucas AR, Fairman CM. Affective responses to acute resistance exercise performed at self-selected and imposed loads in trained women. J Strength Cond Res. 2015;29(11):3067–3074.
    1. Halperin I, Chapman DW, Martin DT, Abbiss C, Wulf G. Coaching cues in amateur boxing: an analysis of ringside feedback provided between rounds of competition. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2016;25:44–50.
    1. Ptomey LT, Vidoni ED, Montenegro-Montenegro E, et al. The feasibility of remotely delivered exercise session in adults with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. J Aging Phys Act. 2019;27(5):670–677.
    1. Richens B, Cleather DJ. The relationship between the number of repetitions performed at given intensities is different in endurance and strength trained athletes. Biol Sport. 2014;31(2):157–161.
    1. Shimano T, Kraemer WJ, Spiering BA, et al. Relationship between the number of repetitions and selected percentages of one repetition maximum in free weight exercises in trained and untrained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2006;20(4):819–823.

Source: PubMed

Sponsorzy i współpracownicy

Warunki medyczne

Interwencje lekowe

3
Subskrybuj