Physical and psychological optimization of tele-exercise programs by establishing guidelines

Tele-exercise has significant potential as a tool to promote physical activity, particularly for individuals facing barriers to accessing gyms or sports centres due to geographical, physical, or financial constraints. While tele-exercise derives from telemedicine, it remains a less defined field with no established guidelines to regulate or standardize its implementation. This gap highlights the need for structured frameworks to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and accessibility of tele-exercise. This study aimed to establish a consensus on some fundamental aspects of tele-exercise through a structured four-round process. A mixed-method approach combined analyses of scientific literature with a modified Delphi approach of 4 rounds of experts' opinions collected via focus groups and an ad hoc questionnaire. A consensus criterion of ≥ 60% agreement was applied. Experts (n = 17 internal, n = 14 external) validated 7 thematic areas and 25 operational recommendations, including fitness training design (e.g., 2-10 participants/session in synchronous mode), safety protocols, and technology requirements. In detail, the following fundamental aspects were addressed: (1) operative definitions of tele-exercise, (2) fitness training programs design, (3) requirements for spaces and equipment, (4) safety protocols for remote exercise, (5) the role and impact of technology, (6) relational and communication strategies to enhance engagement, and (7) monitoring methods for asynchronous and synchronous training sessions. Answers were analysed through a manual content analysis. The guidelines provide a comprehensive examination of these aspects, addressing current gaps and limitations while outlining opportunities for improvement. The study underscores the importance of developing standardized practices to ensure safe and effective implementation of tele-exercise. These findings establish a preliminary framework for tele-exercise implementation, highlighting consensus on technical and psychological features critical for scalability and safety in diverse populations.