The effectiveness of synchronous tele-exercise to maintain the physical fitness, quality of life, and mood of older people - a randomized and controlled study

PURPOSE: The study investigates the effects of synchronized tele-exercise on physical fitness level, quality of life (QoL), loneliness and mood of older people individuals who experience social isolation during the coronavirus pandemic. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was performed with 30 volunteers. A synchronized online exercise protocol was applied to the study group (SG) (n = 15; 10 females, 5 males) (mean age 67.1 ± 3.7 years), while the control group (CG) (n = 15; 7 females, 8 males) (mean age 69.3 ± 5.6 years) was placed on the waiting list. Physical fitness (Senior Fitness Test Battery-SFTB), health-related QoL (Nottingham Health Profile-NHP), loneliness (Loneliness Scale for the Elderly-LSE), and mood changes (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-PANAS) were evaluated. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in all the subscales of SFTB (p < 0.05), physical activity and energy subscales, and total scores of NHP (p < 0.05) and PANAS positive emotional status score (p = 0.002) in the study group. While LSE scores worsened in the CG (p = 0.016), there was no significant difference in the SG (p = 0.162). CONCLUSION: Synchronous tele-exercise can provide improvements in the physical fitness level and can be used to maintain QoL and to improve the mood of community-dwelling older people.