JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Tele-exercise has emerged as a way for older adults to participate in group exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, little is known about the technology support needs of older adults for accessing tele-exercise.

Objective:

Examine the interests and needs of older adults for transition to tele-exercise, 2) Identify barriers and facilitators of tele-exercise uptake and continued participation, and 3) Describe technology support challenges and successes encountered among older adults beginning tele-exercise.

Methods:

We used an exploratory sequential mixed method study design. Participants were older adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (n=44) who started participating in remotely delivered Enhance Fitness. Prior to the start of classes, a subsample of participants (n=10) completed semi-structured phone interviews about technology support needs and barriers and facilitators for technology adoption. All participants completed surveys including the PROMIS-57, the Senior Technology Acceptance Model scale, and a technology needs assessment. The study team recorded technology challenges encountered when participants engaged in tele-exercise classes and attendance rates.

Results:

Four themes emerged from the interviews: Participants desire features in a tele-exercise program that foster accountability; importance of direct access to helpful people who can troubleshoot and provide guidance with technology; opportunities to participate in high value activities motivates willingness to persevere through technology concerns; and belief in the ability to learn new things supersedes technology-related anxiety. Among participants in the tele-exercise classes (mean age 74.0 years ± 6.3; 86.4% female; mean of 2.5 ± 0.9 chronic conditions), 70.5% had a computer with a webcam, but 40.9% had little or no experience with videoconferencing. Initial technology orientation sessions lasted, on average, 19.3 (±10.3) minutes and 23.9% required a follow-up assistance call. During the first two weeks of tele-exercise, 47.6% required technical assistance which decreased to 11.9% for weeks 3-16. Median attendance was 100% for the first six sessions and 93% for the subsequent 42 sessions.

Conclusions:

With appropriate support, older adults can successfully participate in tele-exercise. Recommendations include individualized technology orientation sessions, experiential learning, and availability of stand-by technical assistance, particularly during the first two weeks of classes. Continued development of best practices in this area may allow previously hard-to reach populations of older adults to participate in health-enhancing, evidence-based exercise programs. Clinical Trial: NCT04099394