Improving Physical Activity and Mobility Via Live Online Exercise Sessions for Older Adults

Improving Physical Activity and Mobility, During a Pandemic, Via Live Online Exercise Sessions for Older Persons: a Pilot RCT

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly resulted in an increased level of personal anxiety, reduced access to support services, and as a secondary complication, increased physical inactivity. Older people appear to be at higher risk of several secondary complications and long-term negative health outcomes. These complications include declines in physical health and mobility, social isolation, and worsening mental health. There is strong evidence in older persons that supports the role of exercise and physical activity in: the alleviation of strength and mobility declines, reducing anxiety and depression, and alleviating cognitive declines. Exercise-based intervention trials have also been shown to reduce social isolation and loneliness. This study will compare an online exercise program delivered via Zoom and a waitlist control group in healthy older persons.

This study will examine the impacts of an online exercise program in healthy older persons compared to a waitlist control group. Briefly, participants (healthy persons, age 65-80 years old) will participate in an online group exercise program (designed to meet Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines) via Zoom delivered by Registered Kinesiologists and Physiotherapists for a total of 8 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to the exercise group or the waitlist control group. Participants' will undergo assessments of physical activity, life-space mobility, nutrition, loneliness, depression, and anxiety at baseline, end of study, and 8-weeks following the end of the intervention.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Experience any physical conditions which may prevent them from engaging in moderate-intensity physical activity including using assistive walking devices (e.g. cane or walker), or injuries;
2. Have a history of neuromuscular conditions or muscle wasting diseases;
3. Are currently participating in physical activity, ≥150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week;
4. Are not eligible to participate in regular physical activity according to the Canadian Society Exercise Physiology Get Active Questionnaire;
5. Do not have access to the internet at home via a personal smartphone, tablet (e.g., iPad), or computer.