Exercise improves long-term social and behavioral rhythms in older adults: Did it play a role during the COVID-19 lockdown?

Abstract

The study aimed to verify whether exercise training in older adults can improve social behavioral rhythms (SBR) and if any modification is maintained over time. Older adults (n=120) from a previous randomized controlled trial (RCT), were randomly allocated to either a moderate-intensity exercise group or a control group. SBR was evaluated at t0, t26, and t48 weeks (during the COVID-19 lockdown), using the brief social rhythms scale (BSRS). Seventy-nine participants completed the follow-up (age 72.3±4.7, women 55.3%). An improvement in the BSRS score was found in the exercise group at 26 weeks (p=0.035) when the exercise program was concluded, and it was still maintained at 48 weeks (p=0.013). No improvements were observed in the control group. To conclude, social behavioral rhythms (SBR), previously found as a resilience factor in older adults during Covid-19, appear to improve after a moderate 12 weeks exercise program, and the improvement persisted even after stopping exercise during the COVID-19 lockdown. Significance for public health The pandemic condition, requiring community containment and social distancing has widely affected the population, especially older adults. However, improvement of social and behavioral rhythms (SBR) in the year before the Covid-19 lockdown were found as an important resilience factor, especially against the risk of depression. Current study suggests that a moderate 12 weeks exercise program improved SBR and that the benefits persisted even after stopping exercise during the COVID-19 lockdown.