Influences of remote exercise training for community-dwelling older adults in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kazuhiro Miyata, Tomoyuki Matsuda, Yoshihiko Fujita and 3 others
PMID 34776617WHAT IT FOUND
Most older adults reported less exercise during Japan's state of emergency.
In the small group who completed two weeks of remote DVD exercises, self-reported effort dropped significantly. This suggests home-based video guidance can make movement feel easier for motivated, healthy seniors.
Key findings
0168.5% of respondents reported a decrease in the time they spent exercising after the state of emergency was declared.
02Among the 26 participants who completed the two-week remote exercise program, perceived exercise load significantly decreased for lower and upper extremity exercises.
03The study relied on self-reported data and did not measure physical activity or muscle strength objectively.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample was not randomly selected; participants were from a specific disability prevention program and likely had higher baseline motivation. The response rate was low (38.2%), and only 26 people completed the exercise load data, creating a significant risk of selection bias where only those who found the exercises helpful or manageable responded. Physical activity and muscle strength were not objectively measured; all outcomes were self-reported. The study design was cross-sectional, so it cannot establish a causal link between the remote training and the reduced perceived load over time. The findings apply only to community-dwelling older adults without dementia or neurological disorders who were already engaged in health programs.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the reduction in perceived exercise load as evidence that remote training improves physical function or strength. The study measured only subjective effort in a small, self-selected group of highly motivated participants, with no objective physical outcomes.