During the COVID-19 pandemic, many older people isolated themselves at home, and research shows that isolation and enforced social distancing can increase feelings of depression and loneliness, while physical exercise can enhance the quality of life and bring several health benefits. In the research project “Livskvalitet och fysisk aktivitet för äldre” (Quality of life and physical activity for older people), doctoral student Anna Nilstomt has studied how to engage older people in physical activities.
Since COVID-19, the ways of social interaction have changed. More activities are offered on site and/or online. Physical activity is one example of this. Although many people are aware of the benefits of exercise, many of us have a sedentary lifestyle, especially older people. Many older people also tend to drop out of fitness programmes or refrain from doing regular exercise.
– A greater understanding of what motivates older people to exercise or what causes them to stop exercising can improve the development of fitness programmes for older people, says Anna Nilstomt.
Older people aged 65 and over were recruited for the study. They rented apartments from KBAB and had access to special staff who are there to assist and support the residents in the municipal housing company’s assisted-living facilities.
– The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire and did a physical test on three occasions, says Anna Nilstomt. One initial test when the study began, a second test after 14 weeks and a final test after six months. Participants used a step-counter and an activity journal during the intervention period to keep track of their physical activities.
They were asked to take two walks per week and participate in online or on-site exercise classes twice a week. All of the participants received a physical exercise manual and attended a lecture. Those assigned to online exercise were given access to pre-recorded instructional videos on Youtube, while those assigned to on-site exercise were given the opportunity to exercise twice a week together with other participants and residents of the assisted-living facility.
–The participants were interviewed in connection with either dropping out of the study or completing the entire intervention, says Anna Nilstomt. This was to deepen our understanding of their experience of doing exercise during the study. In this way, we could gather both qualitative and quantitative data.
Why is this study important?
– The number of older people in the world is increasing and in order to not only add years to their life but also add more quality of life and promote healthy ageing, it is important to deepen our understanding of how to promote increased quality of life and physical exercise among older people, says Anna Nilstomt.
What were the most important findings?
– During the intervention, 22 of 36 participants completed the study, says Anna Nilstomt. These are relatively high figures in terms of dropouts, but it is in line with other studies. The reason for dropping out were mostly due to illness but also depression. Others dropped out because they felt they were too active already and not old enough to participate. It was clear, however, that exercising with support of digital tools or in a group can help and support older people’s physical activity.
Interviews with the participants showed that many were motived by being part of a study, especially at the beginning of the intervention. However, other motivating factors were also described – appealing and rewarding, routine and commitment, feedback and overview, the company of others, as well as variety and choice. The participants in both groups became stronger over time according to the physical tests, and questionnaire responses also showed that they were more physically active at the time of the second test.
– The online group were slightly more compliant than the on-site group, but there was no significant difference. In other words, both online exercise as well as exercising in a group can help and support older people in becoming more physically active, says Anna Nilstomt.
How did the participants feel about being part of the study?
– Many of them found it fun and motivating to be part of a study, says Anna Nilstomt. They expressed that it felt important and like a big deal that Karlstad University invested in a research study that focused older people. Surprisingly, many wanted us to return the activity journal after they had handed it in at the end of the intervention. This was an unexpected result that we didn’t expect. Some expressed that the journal served as reminder to exercise. However, it should also be mentioned that some were relieved to return the journal.
Research group
The first study was conducted by: Anna Nilstomt, Johanna Gustavsson, Linda Beckman, Charlotte Bäccman, Finn Nilson, Stefan Wagnsson and Erik Wästlund.
The second study was conducted by: Anna Nilstomt, Johanna Gustavsson, Linda Beckman, Charlotte Bäccman, Finn Nilson and Erik Wästlund.
