Internet-Based Video Program to Promote Physical Activity, Health, and Well-Being of Brazilian Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

In 2020 and 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus spread rapidly across the world, causing the COVID-19 pandemic with millions of deaths. One of the measures to protect life was confinement, which negatively affected physical and mental health, especially of the older population. The aim of this study is to present and evaluate the methodological procedures of a telehealth and eHealth program “U3A in Motion”, which was composed of videos of physical exercises and activities to promote the mental health and well-being of the older Brazilian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The procedures included the planning, editing, and dissemination of videos through WhatsApp, and also on the YouTube platform, Instagram, and on a website. A total of 82 videos were created. The action reached 350 older adults from the local community in the northeast of Brazil, as well as being accessed by approximately 3000 other older adults from institutions in the southern region of Brazil. Based on the evaluation of activities through telephone interviews, it was found that older adults participating in the “U3A in Motion” program during confinement were highly motivated to access exercise activities, mainly via mobile phones, and reported a positive effect on physical and mental health.