Effects of six-week virtual exercise program on senior citizens’ multidimensional well-being

Mini-Oral Presentation C3.9

Authors

  • Takahiro Sato Western New Mexico University
  • Garrett L. Peltonen Western New Mexico University
  • Susumu Iwasaki Fort Lewis College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.783

Keywords:

Senior Citizens, Community-Based Exercise Program, Multidimensional Well-Being, Zoom

Abstract

Background: Community-based exercise programs promote healthy aging by improving multidimensional well-being. Purpose: To elucidate the effect of a six-week community-based virtual exercise program on senior participants’ multidimensional well-being, including self-perception of health and fitness and physical activity levels as well as adherence to the exercise program. Methods: The six-week exercise intervention, being offered via Zoom under the COVID-19 pandemic, consisted of bi-weekly whole body resistance training sessions that lasted 1 hour in duration. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted with sub-groups of the senior participants to examine their perceived health and fitness utilizing Short Version of Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ-S). Physical activity levels were quantified by an accelerometer prior to, during, and following the exercise program. Adherence was calculated as the percentage of exercise sessions attended. Results: Pre- and post-assessments indicated that the six-week exercise program was partially effective for the senior participants’ multidimensional well-being. More specifically, paired t-tests revealed significant improvements (P<.01) for two out of 11 subscales of PSDQ-S observed in Health (Mpre=4.76 & Mpost=5.80) and Body Fat (Mpre=1.78 & Mpost=3.11). Physical activity levels were not different prior to, during, or after the exercise intervention based on the accelerometer captured data. Adherence to the six-week exercise program was high at 89%. Conclusions: The six-week community-based virtual exercise program was effective at improving senior participants’ multidimensional well-being including self-perception of health and fitness and maintaining adherence high despite not increasing physical activity levels. Funding: Western New Mexico University Research Grant.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Sato, T., Peltonen, G., & Iwasaki, S. (2021). Effects of six-week virtual exercise program on senior citizens’ multidimensional well-being: Mini-Oral Presentation C3.9. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.783