Home-Based Exercise Training in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Exercise program was prepared based on WHO, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Geriatrics Physiotherapists Association and Otago exercise program for the exercise group. The older adults are given individual supervised exercise training in their own homes for eight weeks, 3 days a week and 45 minutes a day, by a physiotherapist according to social distance rules. This exercise training consists of a program that includes strengthening, flexibility, aerobic and balance exercises. Each exercise is started with eight repetitions and each week will be increased by two repetitions. In case of fatigue, a rest is given. Brochures are also be prepared for the exercises. Before each session, individuals performed warm-up exercises for 5 minutes. At the end of the session, individuals performed cooling exercises.

Individuals in the control group are performing stretching exercises for proximal extremity muscles for 15 minutes 3 times a week for eight weeks. The participants also perform breathing exercises for 5 minutes a day.