Despite the clear benefits of physical activity in healthy ageing, engagement in regular physical activity among community-dwelling older adults remains low, with common barriers including exertional ...discomfort, concerns with falling, and access difficulties. The recent rise of the use of technology and the internet among older adults presents an opportunity to engage with older people online to promote increased physical activity. This study aims to determine the feasibility and acceptability of training volunteers to deliver online group exercises for older adults attending community social clubs.
This was a pre-post mixed-methods study. Older adults aged ≥ 65 years attending community social clubs who provided written consent and were not actively participating in exercise classes took part in the feasibility study. Older adults, volunteers, and staff were interviewed to determine the acceptability of the intervention. The intervention was a once weekly volunteer-led online group seated strength exercises using resistance bands. The duration of the intervention was 6 months. The primary outcome measures were the feasibility of the intervention (determined by the number of volunteers recruited, trained, and retained, participant recruitment and intervention adherence) and its acceptability to key stakeholders. Secondary outcome measures included physical activity levels (Community Health Model Activities Programme for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire), modified Barthel Index, Health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), frailty (PRISMA-7) and sarcopenia (SARC-F), at baseline and 6 months.
Nineteen volunteers were recruited, 15 (78.9%) completed training and 9 (47.3%) were retained after 1 year (mean age 68 years). Thirty older adults (mean age 77 years, 27 female) participated, attending 54% (IQR 37-67) of exercise sessions. Participants had no significant changes in secondary outcome measures, with a trend towards improvement in physical activity levels (physical activity in minutes per week at baseline was 1770 min, and 1909 min at six months, p = 0.13). Twenty volunteers, older adults, and staff were interviewed and found the intervention acceptable. The seated exercises were perceived as safe, manageable, and enjoyable.
Trained volunteers can safely deliver online group exercise for community-dwelling older adults which was acceptable to older adults, volunteers, and club staff.
NCT04672200.
(1) Background: Strong evidence supports the persuasive positive effects of exercise for cancer patients and survivors. Different approaches of exercise programs have been established; however, the ...special interests of young adults (YAs) with cancer have rarely been considered in exercise interventions. Therefore, the study YOUng EXercisers (YOUEX) aimed to investigate exercise preferences in YAs. (2) Methods: YOUEX was a three-arm, patient preference-based non-randomized, longitudinal, pre-post exercise intervention, offering three different exercise modules to YAs during or after acute therapy (Module 1: online supervised group-based (M1); Module 2: online unsupervised (M2); Module 3: in-person supervised (M3)). The intervention period was 12 weeks with another 12-week follow-up period, the modules could be changed or amended after 6 and 12 weeks. (3) Results: 92 YAs were allocated to the study. At baseline, 50 YAs (54%) chose M2, 32 YAs (35%) M1 and 10 YAs (11%) M3. The analysis revealed high acceptability and feasibility of the online exercise programs (M1, M2). There was a high impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the execution of M3. YAs showed diverse preferences in module selection due to differences in, e.g., cancer therapy status or favored level of supervision. (4) Conclusions: YAs need personalized exercise programs that consider their individual interests and needs. Online exercise programs can be a promising addition to existing exercise opportunities. They are an effective way to increase physical activity levels in YAs.
COVID-19 disrupted older adults' physical and social participation. We examined changes in social participation and physical activity during COVID-19 and perceptions of precautionary measures and ...online or outdoor classes in 155 older adults (M
age
= 70.50 ± 4.62 years). Patrons at Calgary recreation centers ≥ 65 years recruited via e-mail were surveyed between August-September 2020. Social participation (p <0.01) and resistance (p <0.01) and flexibility (p =0.03) physical activity declined. Mild physical activity increased (p =0.03). 33.57% attended online classes. Most precautionary measures were endorsed. Understanding behavior and receptivity to precautions helps providers adapt to COVID-19.
The Strengthening And stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH) program is a tailored, 12-week hand and arm exercise program recommended in the National Institute for Health and Care ...Excellence guidelines. It includes seven mobility exercises and four strength exercises against resistance. An online version of the SARAH program (mySARAH) has been developed to allow direct access for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical impact of mySARAH in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
This is a mixed-method, proof-of-concept study.
mySARAH is a self-guided, online version of the SARAH program with six exercise training and review sessions. Participants were observed as they worked through four of the six online sessions. They were also asked to demonstrate the SARAH exercises. Participants undertook two sessions independently at home.
At the baseline and 12 weeks, hand pain, hand function, and grip strength were measured. At 12 weeks, feedback on mySARAH, and perceived recovery were also collected. Approximately one month later, a telephone follow-up was conducted to explore participants' experiences with mySARAH. Pain, hand function, and perceived recovery were also assessed.
Eleven participants (males/females: 3/8) with a median (interquartile range) age of 63 (17) years took part. Six participants completed all mySARAH sessions. About 512 exercise and load-setting demonstrations were observed and 491 (96%) were performed correctly. Improvements in grip strength and hand function were observed with no increase in pain. Most of the participants reported improvement and provided positive feedback. All participants perceived mySARAH as a useful resource. Features to improve the online exercise diary such as recording and tracking exercise dose and face-to-face or remote support by phone or Skype from health professionals were suggested to optimize user engagement.
Initial evaluation of mySARAH indicates that mySARAH was feasible, acceptable, and beneficial to participants. Further iteration and evaluation are needed before large-scale implementation.
•An online version of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended SARAH (Strengthening And stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand) program was developed (mySARAH) that could be accessed directly by people with rheumatoid arthritis.•The study purpose was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical impact of mySARAH.•Of 11 enrolled, 6 participants completed all mySARAH sessions; 3 partially completed; two discontinued the program.•Participants improved in grip strength and hand function with no increase in pain. The majority reported improvement.•Most participants had positive experiences of mySARAH. Ways to maximize patient engagement with mySARAH such as support from health professionals were suggested.
Exercise can preserve physical, cognitive, and physiological functioning in adults living with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), making it critical to understand exercise programming ...options, such as online programming, that may reduce exercise related barriers in this population. Using an exploratory case study design, we qualitatively examined the perceptions and experiences of online exercise programming among persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Seven individuals recruited from the Brock Functional Inclusive Training Centre (Bfit) completed semi-structured interviews which were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three major themes were generated from the data: (1) Give and take: Accessibility to exercise, (2) It's just not real: Experiences and perceptions of technology, and (3) It's so much more than exercise: The importance of connecting with others. Participants described increased accessibility to exercise, however, barriers to accessibility were also articulated. Previous experiences and attitudes towards using online platforms strongly impacted perceptions of technology positively and negatively. Perceptions of community in the online exercise programming impacted participants' experiences and motivation to engage in exercise. In comparison to facility-based programs, social experiences were hindered; however online exercise programming offered more social opportunities than having no online options. Our findings highlight the complex perceptions of online exercise programming for PwMS. Practitioners should attempt to address challenges of online exercise offerings to create a better experience for this population.
Along with the covid-19 process, people started to turn to online exercise methods. One of these methods is the pilates method, which increases the endurance of the core muscles. This study aims to ...analyze and compare the effects of online and face-to-face pilates methods.
Fifty-eight healthy individuals aged 25-40 years were included in the study. Individuals were randomly divided into three groups; online pilates group (OPG), face-to-face pilates group (FPG), and control group (CG). Pilates groups were given pilates exercises in groups of three or four for eight weeks, three days a week, for 1 h a day, by the physiotherapist. The control group did breathing and relaxation exercises at home. Core muscular endurance, depression, and quality of life were assessed before and after eight weeks of training.
Core muscle endurance, depression, and quality of life improved after pilates in online and face-to-face pilates groups (p < 0.05). No change was found in the control group (p > 0.05). When the gains in the Pilates groups were compared, it was seen that the improvement in the Modified Biering-Sorensen test was more significant in the face-to-face pilates group, and the improvement in the trunk flexion test was more significant in the online group (p < 0.05), while the gains in other parameters were similar (p > 0.05).
As a result, healthy individuals have seen similar benefits in online and face-to-face pilates. Both methods are significant for gaining healthy habits and increasing physical activity in healthy individuals. Trial registration Retrospectively registered. NCT05309486, Registration date: 04/04/2022. URL: https://www.
gov/ct2/show/NCT05309486?term=BULGUROGLU&draw=2&rank=1.
Background Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a non-pharmacological multidisciplinary programme for individuals after myocardial infarction (MI) that offers multiple health benefits. One ...of the greatest barriers to CR participation is the travel distance to the rehabilitation centre. Remotely monitored CR appears to be at least as effective in improving cardiovascular risk factors and exercise capacity as traditional centre-based CR. Nevertheless, the efficacy of remotely monitored CR in individuals with a recent MI has yet to be examined. Methods A total of 30 individuals (8 women, 22 men) after a recent (i.e., <4 weeks) MI were randomly allocated into two groups (online home-based and gym-based groups). Both groups underwent a 26-week CR programme three times per week. All patients performed baseline and 24-week follow-up measurements where peak oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ), mean daily steps, distance, and calories were assessed. Results The online group showed an improvement in mean daily steps ( p < 0.05) and mean daily distance ( p < 0.05) at 24 weeks compared to the gym-based group. The paired-sample t -test showed that all the assessed variables were statistically ( p < 0.001) improved for both groups at 24 weeks. Pearson's r demonstrated positive correlations between VO 2peak and mean daily distance ( r = 0.375), and negative correlations between VO 2peak and muscle ( r = −0.523) and fat masses ( r = −0.460). There were no exercise-induced adverse events during the study. Conclusion Our findings might indicate that a real-time online supervised CR exercise programme using wearable technology to monitor the haemodynamic responses in post-MI patients is equally effective as a gym-based exercise programme.
The variation of exercise is important to avoid feeling bored and to keep the exercise motivation high. Although current condition is considered to be new normal with high number of new cases, it is ...recommend to exercise safely on location considered as low risk (e.g at home).
Exercise is one of the major determinants of a healthy lifestyle, which is particularly important in childhood and serves as a powerful preventive tool. On the other hand, obesity and arterial ...hypertension rates are increasing in children, representing a huge risk for developing major cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in adult life. Of fundamental importance is the modality and volume of exercise required to obtain benefits. In this feasibility study, we considered a group of obese children, studied before and after a 12-week online exercise training program, and subdivided the participants into two groups considering the volume of exercise performed (above or below 1200 MET·min/week). This threshold level was applied in two different ways: subdivision A considered the total weekly physical activity volume (considering both time spent walking for at least 10 min consecutively and time spent performing structured exercise) and subdivision B considered only the weekly volume of structured exercise. We assessed autonomic and metabolic control and auxological and lifestyle parameters. We observed that the improved volume of structured exercise was associated with reduced arterial pressure percentile only in subdivision B and an improvement in markers of vagal and metabolic control was evident. Moreover, the 12-week online exercise training program, defined considering individual fitness level and progressively adapted as the goal was reached, proved to be sustainable from an economical and organizational point of view.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many online programs for social meetings, education, leisure, and physical activities have been developed and provided; however, children with cerebral palsy ...(CP) cannot enjoy online programs in the same way that those without disabilities can. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in reintegration to normal living (RNL), social interaction, and quality of life among school-age children with CP after participation in a game-based online−offline hybrid group exercise program. The current study was conducted on 26 children with CP who participated in a hybrid exercise program. The RNL, social interaction, and quality of life were measured before and after the six-week program. The scores of RNL and quality of life were improved (p < 0.05) after program participation. Online or hybrid exercise programs incorporating interactive methods (i.e., competition and cooperating) could enhance RNL and quality of life of children with CP. Thus, well-designed online or hybrid exercise programs should be developed and provided for children with CP to enhance overall quality of life during the pandemic.
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