A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY EVALUATING THE ACCEPTABILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF ASYNCHRONOUS AND SYNCHRONOUS HOME-BASED TELE-EXERCISE PROGRAMS AIMED TO MAINTAIN OLDER ADULTS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Web technologies could be harnessed to provide physical health support of older adults during gathering isolation due to COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is investigate the acceptability and feasibility of both synchronous and asynchronous 12 weeks tele-oriented home-based exercise programs designed to maintain older adults’ physical activity levels. Older adults were recruited and allocated into two experimental groups (asynchronous or synchronous home-based tele-exercise) and a control group (health education control group). Tele-exercise program consisted of 12 weeks of home-based multicomponent training. Acceptability, feasibility and health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) active scores were measured. Permanence, adherence and satisfaction of both remote exercise programs were high. No severe adverse events occurred during any intervention group activities. Most of the participants of tele-exercise groups maintained or improved HEPA active category. Remotely-delivery home-based interventions are an acceptable, adaptable, feasible and safe form of physical exercise prescription that successfully maintain older adults active during self-isolation.