Comparing Online And In-person Delivery Of An Exercise Program For Older Adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many exercise programs to provide participants with online delivery. Online delivery increases accessibility, but their ability to improve perceived and mental health, and functional outcomes in older adults is unknown. Therefore, there is a need to test the efficacy of online delivery compared with in person delivery in older adults. PURPOSE: To compare perceived mental health, and functional outcomes following an online exercise program offered to older adults and compare the benefits with in-person delivery. METHODS: The Zoomers on the Go program is a peer-led exercise program of 12 weeks. The program offers resistance exercise, aerobic activities, balance, and flexibility two times per week to adults aged 50 and above. The main outcome was power as measured by the 30-second chair stand test. Secondary outcomes included dropout, attendance, balance (one leg stance), cardiorespiratory fitness (2-minute step test or 6-minute walk test), perceived health (SF-36), and mental health (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items). RESULTS: The proportion of dropout was 28.1% and 11.5% in the online and the in-person group respectively (p < 0.001). A total of 74 participants (66.3 ± 7.1 years old) in the online group and 84 participants in the in-person group (67.3 ± 7.2 years old) completed the program. The attendance was 19.6 ± 4.8 sessions for the online group and 16.7 ± 2.9 sessions for the in-person group (p < 0.001) out of 24. Participants in both groups improved significantly their 30 seconds chair stand (online: 14.4 ± 2.7 to 17.0 ± 4.2 vs. in person: 14.1 ± 4.2 to 17.5 ± 5.1; all p < 0.001), cardiorespiratory fitness, and balance without any difference between groups. However, only the in-person group improved general perceived health measured by SF-36 questionnaire. Similarly, only the in-person group significantly reduced the level of stress and depression following the program (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise program delivered online leads to greater attendance and similar improvement in physical function in older adults compared to in person delivery. However, in-person delivery might be needed to improve stress, depression symptoms, and perceived general health in older adults. Funding: Healthy Seniors Pilot Project- Public Health Agency of Canada