Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of videoconferencing-delivered online exercise classes among community-dwelling older adults. This phenomenon is new, and no research has investigated older adults' relevant experiences and postpandemic perspectives. This study is situated in a naturalistic paradigm and adopted a descriptive qualitative methodology to understand the phenomenon. In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 older adults (aged 55-89 years) who have participated in videoconferencing-delivered online exercise since the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing thematic analysis, eight key themes were identified. Older adults experienced convenience, exercise regularity, technological transformation, and motivation when using this new form of exercise delivery. At the same time, they also experienced certain technological barriers and compromised quality of instructor supervision. Looking forward, older adults welcomed the increased opportunity for supervised exercise due to increased virtual capacity. They also envisaged that mobility-restricted groups such as frail older adults and caregivers would benefit from this form of exercise delivery.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 642-650 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Aging and Physical Activity |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 9 Jan 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2023 |
Keywords
- remotely-delivered exercise class
- senior
- videoconferencing online exercise
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation
- Gerontology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology