Comparing Virtual And In-person Exercise Programs On Senior Citizens’ Physical Activity And Adherence To Exercise.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to society, with high-risk senior populations being especially affected. For safety reasons, many traditional in-person (IP) senior citizen exercise training programs have moved to virtual (V) settings, allowing senior citizens to safely obtain the benefits of exercise. However, the effectiveness of V compared to IP exercise training programs for senior citizens remains unknown. PURPOSE: We tested the following hypotheses: 1). there would be no difference in physical activity among seniors participating in a V exercise training program compared to an IP exercise training program and 2). exercise adherence would be greater in a V compared to an IP exercise training program. METHODS: A total of nine senior citizens completed a personalized, exercise training program that consisted of meeting with a trainer either V or IP for 60 minutes, twice a week, for six weeks. Of the nine participants, five participants (4F/1M; 66 ± 5 years) completed the V exercise training program and the remaining four participants (3F/1M; 75 ± 5 years) completed the IP exercise training program. A wrist accelerometer quantified physical activity approximately one week prior to, for six-weeks during, and for approximately one week following cessation of the V and IP exercise training programs. Adherence was calculated as the percentage of exercise sessions attended. RESULTS: Physical activity was not different between V and IP groups prior to the exercise training intervention. In contrast to our hypotheses, physical activity in the IP exercise training group was greater during the six-week exercise intervention (9,383 ± 2,938 vs 6,927 ± 3,051 steps/day; p < 0.0001) and the week following cessation of the exercise training program (9,602 ± 3,531 vs 7,138 ± 3,171 steps/day; p < 0.0001) when compared to the V exercise training group. Adherence was high 97% and not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data indicate that an IP six-week exercise training program offered to senior citizens may be more effective at promoting and sustaining physical activity compared to a V exercise training program. Additionally, both V and IP exercise training programs promote high adherence. Support: Western New Mexico University Research Grant