Defying distance
Exercise providers’ perspectives on remote physical activity supports for older adults: a mixed-methods study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22086366 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Samira Mehrabi (0000-0001-7643-8971, University of Waterloo), Sara Drisdelle (0000-0001-5039-3322, University of Waterloo), Hanna R Dutt (University of Waterloo), Laura E Middleton (0000-0001-8624-3123, University of Waterloo, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1643477-1643477 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-06 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1643477 |
| PMID | 41122535 |
| OpenAlex | W4414853510 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 71 |
Introduction Many older adults encounter barriers to participating in physical activity programs, often due to cost, accessibility, and transportation challenges. Implementing feasible and effective remote support strategies may enhance their physical activity participation. This mixed-methods study examines exercise providers’ use of remote supports for physical activity among older adults, their perceived effectiveness, and barriers and facilitators to adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Methods Exercise providers (≥18 years) completed a web-based survey (June–September 2020), and optional semi-structured interviews (September–December 2020), guided by the COM-B model. Participant characteristics, uptake and perceived effectiveness of remote supports, and presence and severity of barriers were explored and analyzed with inductive thematic analysis. Results Fifty-one exercise providers (age 36.3 ± 12.3 years, 38 female) completed the survey; 86% provided remote support for physical activity, including provision of copy materials (63%) and delivery of real-time virtual programs (59%), with the latter rated the most effective (88%). Key barriers included older adults’ limited technical skills (78%) and access to technology (82%). Interviews ( n = 12, age 40.5 ± 15 years, 11 female), yielded five themes: (1) Capacity, Collaboration, and Adaptability Supported Successful Transition to Remote Supports; (2) Tailoring Remote Supports to Needs and Abilities Promoted Safety; (3) Real-time Virtual Programs Fostered Social Support and Engagement; (4) Accessible Technology and Ongoing Support Facilitated Virtual Delivery; and (5) A Hybrid Approach Balances Convenience and Social Benefits. Conclusion During the transition to virtual exercise programming during the COVID-19 pandemic, exercise providers widely used remote supports, favoring real-time virtual programs for socialization and supervision. While there were challenges including safety concerns, technological barriers, and engagement, these challenges were met with innovative solutions. A hybrid approach may be the most sustainable model, balancing the accessibility of virtual programs with the social and motivational benefits of in-person exercise
Behaviour change · Physical activity · Social activity · Social support · Socialization · Virtual reality · Physical Activity and Health · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Technology Use by Older Adults
Why does Covid-19 disproportionately affect older people?
Physical activity and functional limitations in older adults
Fitness Effects on the Cognitive Function of Older Adults
Telehealth and patient satisfaction
Dose-response associations between accelerometry measured physical activity and sedentary time and all cause mortality
Exercise interventions for cognitive function in adults older than 50
Older people's perspectives on participation in physical activity
The association between social support and physical activity in older adults
Key Factors Associated with Adherence to Physical Exercise in Patients with Chronic Diseases and Older Adults
Memoing in qualitative research
Exercise, physical activity, and self-determination theory
Health benefits of physical activity in older patients
Qualitative research in health care
Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research projects
Health benefits of physical activity
Achieving Integration in Mixed Methods Designs—Principles and Practices
The behaviour change wheel
“If I want to be able to keep going, I must be active.” Exploring older adults’ perspectives of remote physical activity supports
Older People’s Use of Digital Technology During the Covid-19 Pandemic
A Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators and Barriers to Physical Activity Participation among Chinese Retired Adults in Hong Kong
The creation of age-friendly environments is especially important to frail older people
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Qualitative inquiry and research design
Clinician Acceptance is the Key Factor for Sustainable Telehealth Services
Online workouts and fitness instructors' physical autonomy in times of the Covid-19 pandemic
Qualitative Quality
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |