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C. Said1,2,3, K. Hill4, M. Callisaya5,6,7, F. Batchelor8, A.-M. Hill9, R. Dawson10, S. Mackintosh11, S. Fu12,13,14, C. West15,16, C. Sherrington15,16
1The University of Melbourne, Physiotherapy, Melbourne, Australia, 2Western Health, Physiotherapy, Melbourne, Australia, 3Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Science, St Albans, Australia, 4Monash University, Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia, 5Monash University, Physiotherapy, Melbourne, Australia, 6University of Tasmania, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, Tasmania, Australia, 7Peninsula Health, Physiotherapy, Victoria, Australia, 8National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), Melbourne, Australia, 9Curtin University, Perth, Australia, 10Australian Physiotherapy Association, Sydney, Australia, 11University of South Australia, Allied Health and Human Performance, Adelaide, Australia, 12Ageing Balance, Brisbane, Australia, 13Mater Health Services, Physiotherapy, Brisbane, Australia, 14University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 15Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Physical Activity, Ageing and Disability Research Stream, Sydney, Australia, 16University of Sydney/Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
Background: Physical distancing restrictions, including recommendations to ‘stay home’, has been an essential strategy to minimise spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic. As these restrictions limit exercise opportunities, this may result in reduced physical activity, reduced function and increased risk of falls in older people. Our group of academic and clinical physiotherapists and a communications expert identified the need to support safe exercise at home to minimise the impact of these restrictions.
Purpose: The aim of this project was to develop an online, publicly available resource to support older people to exercise at home.
Methods: We met virtually and:
a) developed home exercise programs for people at three levels of functional ability;
b) developed simple advice about exercising safely, exercise intensity, and staying motivated; and
c) reviewed and selected online exercise programs and resources for consumers and health professionals to access.
Real life examples of older people keeping active during the pandemic were sourced to provide motivation. Website content was made available to download and print to increase accessibility. Modifications were made after consumer and international advisor feedback; the website was endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Content is updated as restrictions are modified and in response to feedback received. The website was promoted via traditional media (radio, television and newspaper), social media and via professional organisations, including webinars and podcasts. Google Analytics was used to evaluate website usage.
a) developed home exercise programs for people at three levels of functional ability;
b) developed simple advice about exercising safely, exercise intensity, and staying motivated; and
c) reviewed and selected online exercise programs and resources for consumers and health professionals to access.
Real life examples of older people keeping active during the pandemic were sourced to provide motivation. Website content was made available to download and print to increase accessibility. Modifications were made after consumer and international advisor feedback; the website was endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Content is updated as restrictions are modified and in response to feedback received. The website was promoted via traditional media (radio, television and newspaper), social media and via professional organisations, including webinars and podcasts. Google Analytics was used to evaluate website usage.
Results: The website was launched on 5 May 2020, 35 days after the group’s initial meeting. In the first 9 weeks of website availability 20,608 users accessed the website, with 14.6% being returning users. There were 27,513 sessions and 74,927 page views. Users were most engaged in pages for older people and the different levels of functional ability. Most users accessed the website by direct URL or referral from another online source. Most users were from Australia (80.74%), followed by Denmark (5.15%) and USA (3.85%).
Conclusion(s): This process is an example of the benefits of time-critical collaboration to facilitate rapid translation of evidence into practice. Further modifications will be guided by user feedback and additional resources will be added following review. It is planned to further evaluate the impact of the website on the uptake of exercise in older people and engagement of health professionals in physical activity and exercise prescription.
Implications: Many older people do not meet physical activity guidelines. The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated the need for the Safe Exercise at Home website; the website has potential to be a source of information for older people and health professionals beyond the pandemic phase.
Funding, acknowledgements: Cathie Sherrington, Anne-Marie Hill and Michele Callisaya are all supported by NHMRC Fellowships
Keywords: COVID-19, Older people, Physical activity, Exercise
Topic: COVID-19
Did this work require ethics approval? No
Institution: N/A
Committee: N/A
Reason: Abstract describes development of an online resource. Data obtained via Google Analytics, thus ethics approval not required.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
