Online Physical Activity Advice for Older Adults during COVID-19: Results of a Pilot Study

Authors

Mirabella R. Russo, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Jafrā D. Thomas, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Calvin J. Wu, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Abigail M. McIntyre, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

Abstract

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020-present), US. older adults in quarantine likely turned to the internet, often a first source for exercise information, for health and exercise advice. PURPOSE: Given adherence to physical activity guidelines (PAGs) lowers risk of sickness and death due to COVID-19, this presentation is to present results of a pilot study which determined the extent online physical activity promotion articles published during the COVID-19 pandemic, with messages tailored to older adults, aligned with US. 2018 PAGs. METHODS: Online articles were sought based on an apriori inclusion criteria (e.g., targeted older adults, published March 2020-February 2021). Three search engines set to private browsing were used: Bing, Google, and Yahoo. After piloting search terms, an internet search was conducted within a 24-hour period (February 10, 2021). Two review levels (title & full text) narrowed the initial sample from 763 articles to 15. The Content Analysis Approach to Theory-specified Persuasive Educational Communication (CAATSPEC) guided the line-by-line categorization of article messages into three categories: PAG-mismatch, -partial match, - full match. The coding form contained 15 PAGs across four categories: aerobic, muscle, older adult, sedentary adult. The coding form and procedures were refined across three practice phases using a random subset of like, pre-pandemic articles. Reliability was tested with a random subset of the study sample (n = 9/15). RESULTS: The coding form showed fair between-rater reliability (1st vs 2nd author, ICC = .56) and excellent within-rater reliability (1st author, 3-day grace period, ICC = .99). Articles in the pilot sample contained the following fitness topics: aerobic (100%), muscle (78%) and safety (78%). Twenty-six advisements had explicitly aligned with 8 PAGs. Most tallies were partial matches (92%). No mismatches were observed. Most tallies were older adult PAGs (46%), then sedentary lifestyle (36%), then muscle fitness (15%). Zero statements aligned with aerobic PAGs. CONCLUSION: Pilot data suggests older adults seeking credible advice for maintaining their health during COVID-19 likely receive little advice matching PAGs through online articles. Implication of these findings and project next steps will be presented.

Recommended Citation

Russo, Mirabella R.; Thomas, Jafrā D.; Wu, Calvin J.; and McIntyre, Abigail M. (2021) "Online Physical Activity Advice for Older Adults during COVID-19: Results of a Pilot Study," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 52.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss1/52