TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of online and face-to-face exercise training compared in healthy older adults
T2 - a feasibility study
AU - Brustio, Paolo Riccardo
AU - Kļonova, Alīna
AU - Rudi, Doriana
AU - Chiari, Carlotta
AU - Biino, Valentina
AU - Grants, Juris
AU - Schena, Federico
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag Italia S.r.l., part of Springer Nature 2024.
PY - 2024/6
Y1 - 2024/6
N2 - Background: Supervised online exercise training (OET) may help to counteract physical inactivity in healthy older adults. Few studies to date have compared the effect of OET and traditional face-to-face exercise training (TET). Aims: With this study we compared the effect of OET and TET on physical function in healthy older adults and investigated the feasibility of OET. Methods: Power analysis indicated that a sample size of n = 20 per group was necessary to detect a moderate effect size. Of 80 individuals potentially interested in the study, 32 did not meet the inclusion criteria and 22 declined participation; 26 were assigned to receive OET via Zoom© and 19 to receive TET twice a week for 12 weeks. The exercise training program was the same for both groups: fine finger and muscle strengthening and balance exercises. Performance was measured using the 400-m Walk, Timed Up and Go, Four Square Step, One Leg Stance, Five Time Chair Stand, and Hand Grip tests. Results and conclusions: In general, physical function was improved after OET and TET (ηp2 range, 0.349–0.642). No improvement in upper limb strength was observed in either group (p > 0.05), whereas endurance on the 400-m Walk Test was increased for the OET group and decreased for the TET group (Time × Group interaction F 5.540, ηp2 0.187; p = 0.007). Good adherence was noted for the OET group (82%). No adverse events during the 12-week study period were recorded. Our findings suggest a positive effect of exercise training on physical function over time, regardless of how delivered. OET was found to be feasible and acceptable, making it a viable alternative to conventional exercise programs for older adults.
AB - Background: Supervised online exercise training (OET) may help to counteract physical inactivity in healthy older adults. Few studies to date have compared the effect of OET and traditional face-to-face exercise training (TET). Aims: With this study we compared the effect of OET and TET on physical function in healthy older adults and investigated the feasibility of OET. Methods: Power analysis indicated that a sample size of n = 20 per group was necessary to detect a moderate effect size. Of 80 individuals potentially interested in the study, 32 did not meet the inclusion criteria and 22 declined participation; 26 were assigned to receive OET via Zoom© and 19 to receive TET twice a week for 12 weeks. The exercise training program was the same for both groups: fine finger and muscle strengthening and balance exercises. Performance was measured using the 400-m Walk, Timed Up and Go, Four Square Step, One Leg Stance, Five Time Chair Stand, and Hand Grip tests. Results and conclusions: In general, physical function was improved after OET and TET (ηp2 range, 0.349–0.642). No improvement in upper limb strength was observed in either group (p > 0.05), whereas endurance on the 400-m Walk Test was increased for the OET group and decreased for the TET group (Time × Group interaction F 5.540, ηp2 0.187; p = 0.007). Good adherence was noted for the OET group (82%). No adverse events during the 12-week study period were recorded. Our findings suggest a positive effect of exercise training on physical function over time, regardless of how delivered. OET was found to be feasible and acceptable, making it a viable alternative to conventional exercise programs for older adults.
KW - Exercise intervention
KW - Older adults
KW - Online physical exercise
KW - Technology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85188462610&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11332-024-01166-z
DO - 10.1007/s11332-024-01166-z
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85188462610
SN - 1824-7490
VL - 20
SP - 683
EP - 692
JO - Sport Sciences for Health
JF - Sport Sciences for Health
IS - 2
ER -