The current worldwide pandemic has resorted in the reshaping of the health and fitness industry, specifically affecting gyms and personal trainers. This has meant that many businesses and personal trainers have had to adapt in order to retain and train clients over this period. Therefore, there has been an upsurge in online training which provides exercise programmes via an online virtual platform. In recent years, there has been an interest in online training for older adults and whether it is a feasible method of providing training.
A recent qualitative study, conducted in France, analysed the impact of quarantine on physical activity programs and the physical and mental health of older adults [1]. It highlights the importance of physical activity in the older population in order to maintain independence, mental health and well-being. Further stating that older adults need to avoid a sedentary lifestyle. However, with the current restrictions the pandemic has brought on most of the population, many older adults find themselves staying indoors in order to protect themselves. This raises the issue of the lack of exercise being completed by older adults. The pandemic has caused many older individuals to stay indoors for their own safety but this has led to many of them starting to lead sedentary lifestyles. Thematic analysis indicated that older adults expressed the need to perform physical activity at home and therefore it’s suggested that ‘there is a need to help older adults integrate simple and safe ways to stay physically active in a limited space’. This leaves the question ‘how will training be implemented at home for this population?’.
A study conducted in Italy, designed a virtual fitness programme dedicated to keeping independent-living older adults both physically and socially active[2]. It allowed participants to access a virtual environment that was personalised to them with specific training and feedback, whilst also providing group sessions. This study assessed the effectiveness and feasibility of this specific type of online training for older adults. The results concluded that the usability and technological acceptance of the online platform increased with time. However it was found that the most useful and experienced feature was private messaging with a coach, followed by public messages on a bulletin. Therefore, there is the suggestion that with the creation and implementation of an online platform there may need to be more of a focus on the channels between client and trainer rather than social interaction between trainees.
It can therefore be concluded that there is a need for training specifically for the older population, that is suitable to complete at home. Online personal training could offer feasible 1 to 1 tailored training to older individuals who are struggling to keep active whilst in lockdown. Furthermore, there is the possibility that this concept can be carried on into the post-COVID world. The creation of an online platform to facilitate personal training to an older population is both feasible and wanted. However, the usability of the platform for this population needs to be seriously considered and adapted.
References:
[1] GOETHALS, L et al., 2020. Impact of home quarantine on physical activity among older adults living at home during the COVID-19 pandemic: qualitative interview study. JMIR Aging, 3(1)
[2] BAEZ, M et al., 2016. Online group exercises for older adults of different physical capabilities. International Conference on Collaboration Technologies and Systems, 524-533
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