A. Long1, S. Timmons2, C. Di Lorito1, V. Booth1, P. Logan1
1University of Nottingham, Centre for Rehabilitation and Ageing Research, Nottingham, United Kingdom, 2University of Nottingham, Nottingham University Business School, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Background: Over the last three years there has been an enormous change to the delivery of exercise classes to older people. Many classes stopped during the pandemic and many gyms and private exercise instructors transitioned to online working. However, this did not usually incorporate classes for older people, and the limited provision for people with dementia dwindled further. The COVID-19 pandemic offered a unique opportunity to look at the provision of exercise classes for older people with and without dementia, both during restrictions, when classes were offered online and as restrictions were eased and classes returned to face-to-face. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the characteristics of, and barriers and facilitators to existing classes and to what extent these differed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Purpose:
- To investigate the core components needed to encourage older people with and without dementia to attend and continue to take part in exercise classes.
- To examine if these core components could be consistently provided through different modes of delivery, maintaining the benefits participants reported prior to the pandemic.
Methods: An ethnographic approach was used followed by focus groups or interviews. The study consisted of three mini ethnographies in which the researcher participated in exercise classes. An online class was observed for a four-week period (April 2021) during COVID-19 restrictions. A face-to-face class for older adults was observed for a six-week period (May – July 2021) following the easing of restrictions. A face-to-face gym-based class specifically for people living with dementia was observed for a five-week period (Jan – Feb 2022) as restrictions ended.
At the end of each observation period focus groups or interviews took place with participants, carers, and instructors. Field notes were written up following each class. Topic guides were produced to guide discussions based on concepts and insights gained from literature, observations, and informal conversations.
All focus groups and interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and uploaded onto NVivo 12. All data was extracted, coded and analysed thematically.
At the end of each observation period focus groups or interviews took place with participants, carers, and instructors. Field notes were written up following each class. Topic guides were produced to guide discussions based on concepts and insights gained from literature, observations, and informal conversations.
All focus groups and interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and uploaded onto NVivo 12. All data was extracted, coded and analysed thematically.
Results: Health benefits appeared key to initial attendance, though social interaction became more important for sustained attendance. Older people and those living with dementia appreciated knowledgeable, trained and motivated staff.
People were less motivated to attend online classes leading to reduced participation. Both a lack of equipment and technological expertise prevented many older people in taking part in online classes.
Social interaction was missed throughout the pandemic and was an important aspect of exercise classes once they returned to face-to-face delivery.
People were less motivated to attend online classes leading to reduced participation. Both a lack of equipment and technological expertise prevented many older people in taking part in online classes.
Social interaction was missed throughout the pandemic and was an important aspect of exercise classes once they returned to face-to-face delivery.
Conclusions: Physical and psychological benefits appear important to initial attendance at exercise classes for older people both those with and without dementia. However, social interaction is pivotal for sustained attendance.
Online exercise classes can be difficult to access and may not provide all the components needed to sustain long-term engagement.
Online exercise classes can be difficult to access and may not provide all the components needed to sustain long-term engagement.
Implications: Those delivering exercise classes for older people both with and without dementia, including physiotherapists and exercise professionals need to consider not only the type of exercise within the class but how best to deliver these classes to sustain long-term engagement.
Funding acknowledgements: Funding:
Alzheimer’s Society (grant number 543,AS-CTF-19b-002)
NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands (ARC EM).
Alzheimer’s Society (grant number 543,AS-CTF-19b-002)
NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands (ARC EM).
Keywords:
Physical Activity
Older People
Ethnography
Physical Activity
Older People
Ethnography
Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Older people
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Older people
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: University of Nottingham
Committee: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee
Ethics number: 114-1120
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
