Abstrakt
Introduction: The aim of the presentation is to show data about current physical activity (PA) level of older women participating in an intervention study 3-4 years ago. Secondly, we would like to share experience with online exercise for elderly during lockdown.
Methods: Fifteen women filled a survey based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Furthermore, using qualitative research methods, we investigated facilitators, barriers and adherence to PA in two groups of seniors (N=45) participating in online lessons via Google Meet platform on a weekly basis.
Results: Most women maintained sufficient level of PA for general health. 60% of women reported decrease of PA frequency during the pandemic, mainly due to closure of exercise facilities. The data from women following an online exercise showed more than 50% of women continue in online exercise after a year.
Some refer to be more satisfied with the online version due to the following advantages: no need to travel over the city, no disturbance by other people noises, being in a safe/clean environment of own house, protection from potential risk of illness. However, nearly half of the previously exercising women stopped regular exercise due to: insufficient internet connection, gadgets or digital literacy to join the lesson, lack of the social benefits from regular meeting, lack of suitable conditions for exercise at home.
Discussion: Opportunity to meet personally at the exercise lesson for elderly has a great positive and irreplaceable role in the quality of life. Many people referred to the negative impact of the pause in regular exercise due to the pandemic.
In our presentation, we would like to summarize our experience with one-year long transfer of regular elderly exercise to the online environment. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic caused changes in PA and exercise behaviour.
One of them is the facilitation of online lessons which opens new opportunities for people with special needs. Keywords: ageing, inactivity, health, lockdown