Health Perceptions and Practices of a Telewellness Fitness Program: Exploratory Case Study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Telehealth
• Exercise Science

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic limited access to group fitness due to infection risks and facility closures.
• Increased mental health burden (anxiety, stress) was prevalent during the pandemic.
• An in-person community exercise class transitioned to an online synchronous (OS) format using Zoom for telewellness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the perceived mental and physical health benefits of attending OS fitness classes.
• To assess the utilization and functionality of technologies supporting OS fitness delivery.
• To evaluate the impact of telewellness on community members, including healthcare workers.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory study utilizing an online survey questionnaire.
• Quantitative and qualitative data collected on fitness class evaluation, motivation, perceived benefits, and technology.
• Convenience sample recruited via email from participants of OS fitness classes.

Main Results:

• 51 participants completed the survey, with varying university affiliations.
• High overall exercise class satisfaction (mean 4.0, SD 1) was reported.
• Significant perceived mental and physical health benefits were key motivators; challenges included lack of individual feedback and synchronization issues.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary evidence supports online videoconferencing fitness platforms for community wellness during high infection risk.
• OS fitness classes can facilitate group exercise and promote physical and mental wellness.
• Future research should explore perceived benefits, best practices, and technology design for telewellness interventions.