A Web-Delivered, Clinician-Led Group Exercise Intervention for Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Single-Arm Pre-Post...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Exercise Science
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid adaptation of health services, including exercise programs for diabetes management.
• The Beat It program, an 8-week in-person group exercise and education initiative for adults with diabetes, was adapted to a web-based format.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if the adapted Beat It Online program yielded comparable health outcomes to the original in-person program.
• To assess improvements in physical fitness (muscular strength, aerobic endurance, balance, flexibility) and waist circumference in older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Main Methods:

• 171 Australians aged 60+ with T2DM participated in the 8-week Beat It Online program, delivered twice weekly via videoconference.
• Physical fitness and anthropometric measurements were assessed at baseline and program completion.
• The study utilized the Model for Adaptation, Design, and Impact to document program modifications and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in waist circumference, aerobic capacity, muscular strength, flexibility, and balance (all P<.001) upon program completion.
• The Beat It Online program demonstrated comparable health benefits across diverse demographics and socioeconomic statuses.
• The adaptation process involved 9 key clinical, practical, and technical modifications for web-based delivery.

Conclusions:

• Beat It Online is as effective as the in-person program for improving functional fitness and health in older adults with T2DM.
• This web-based adaptation offers a flexible, inclusive solution for maintaining independence and quality of life.
• Further research into culturally adapted versions of Beat It can enhance its reach and efficacy.