Developing the principles of chair based exercise for older people: a modified Delphi study

Abstract

Background: Chair based exercise (CBE) is suggested to engage older people with compromised health and mobility in an accessible form of exercise. A systematic review looking at the benefits of CBE for older people identified a lack of clarity regarding a definition, delivery, purpose and benefits. This study aimed to utilise expert consensus to define CBE for older people and develop a core set of principles to guide practice and future research.

Instructors’ Perceptions of Mostly Seated Exercise Classes: Exploring the Concept of Chair Based Exercise

“…In both tables, information is displayed for the full sample of instructors and the subsample who gave free text responses to give an indication of the broad depth of qualification of instructors and delivery settings for those delivering mostly seated classes. The qualitative themes arising from the survey (Figure 1) are reported under each relevant domain from the CBE Delphi consensus [11] and from this point mostly seated classes are described as CBE.…”

“…We explored instructors' perceptions of mostly seated exercise classes (classes in which >25% of the time was spent seated were classed as mostly seated) (see [10] for further details), as this fits the definition of CBE in the literature [11]. We asked instructors about the types of classes they delivered and where they delivered these classes.…”

“…Framework analysis was developed through social policy research and can be considered a thematic analytical approach that provides a structured output [14]. The framework for analysis was developed based on the domains from the Delphi study [11]. The domains of “defining CBE,” “intended users,” and “potential benefits” were selected for the analysis framework following initial open coding of a sample of data.…”

“…In the absence of clear guidance, a consensus development process was developed to determine the principles of CBE to provide a framework for practice and further research [10]. Through a Delphi study, experts agreed on a definition of CBE and a set of principles providing a clearer underpinning and rationale for programmes [11]. Experts agreed that CBE should contain components of progressive resistance training, cardiovascular interval training, endurance training, and developmental stretches.…”

“…The potential benefits from the perspective of experts include improving mood and wellbeing, muscle strength, activities of daily living, and joint mobility. Based on the expert consensus, CBE can be defined as “ a primarily seated, structured, and progressive exercise programme that is part of a continuum of exercise for older people, which uses a chair to provide stability, and is delivered by instructors that are suitably skilled and trained to work with frail older people ” [11]. Experts identified that CBE should be used for older people who are unable to take part in other forms of exercise due to activity limitation which may be acute (e.g., following an operation) or of longer term.…”