Online Exercise Classes during the COVID-19 Related Lockdown in Germany: Use and Attitudes

Abstract

Lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to reductions in physical activity (PA) worldwide. Leading public health organizations have recommended the use of online exercise classes (OEC) to compensate the loss of regular exercise classes. As of now, no data are available on the uptake of OEC and on users’ attitudes. The aim of the current online survey was to assess the use of and attitudes towards OEC in Germany. Respondents indicated awareness and use of OEC, and levels of agreement with statements on OEC. Frequency of awareness and use of OEC according to PA status were calculated with contingency tables and the Χ2 test. Differences between users and non-users were tested with the Student’s t-test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Data on attitudes are presented as percentages, and Spearman correlations were calculated between attitudes and activity status, frequency of use, educational attainment, age and body mass index. A total of 979 datasets were analyzed. Of the respondents, 681 were aware of and 180, 118 and 84 used them <1 per week, 1–2 per week and ≥3 per week, respectively. Significantly more active respondents were aware of and used OEC compared to less active respondents. All in all, regular OEC use was quite limited. OEC was differentially attractive to people according to PA status, frequency of use, BMI and age. Tailoring OEC to current non-users and adding motivational support might enhance the regular use of OEC.

Going Online?—Can Online Exercise Classes during COVID-19-Related Lockdowns Replace in-Person Offers?

“…We found a higher awareness (80 vs. 70% respectively) and use rates (24 vs. 18% <1 per week; 19 vs. 12% 1–2 per week) in the present study, compared to our previous survey in the first lockdown, in a sample that was very similar to the present one in terms of sample size, sex distribution, age, BMI, educational attainment and PA levels in the normal condition [ 19 ]. Regular use (≥3 per week) was 8.5%, which was similar in both surveys.…”

“…We repeated our previous study with the modification that we included the assessment of well-being [19]. We used the SoSci Survey tool (SoSci Survey GmbH, Munich, Germany, https://www.soscisurvey.de/) (accessed on 8 April-2 July 2021) to conduct this crosssectional anonymous online survey in the German general population.…”

“…They are time flexible, in many cases free of charge, and can be practiced without any infection risk. We conducted a survey during the first lockdown in Germany, during which also all PA facilities were closed, which showed that while almost 70% of respondents reported an awareness of OECs, few (12% of those reporting awareness; 9% of all respondents) were regular (≥3 per week) users [ 19 ]. Respondents’ perceptions of different aspects of OECs, such as time flexibility, lack of supervision and lack of interaction with other exercisers, were different according to characteristics, such as age, body mass index (BMI) and educational attainment [ 19 ].…”

Telehealth: A Useful Tool for the Management of Nutrition and Exercise Programs in Pediatric Obesity in the COVID-19 Era

“…The National Health Service has recommended online exercise classes in order to improve and maintain mental health. Technology-supported intervention approaches use different support mechanisms, such as tailored PA advice, goal setting, feedback, PA tracking, tele-counselling, online resources, and online social support [160,161].…”

“…In fact, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, technology-supported approaches to promote PA were shown to be effective in increasing PA levels, walking, and energy expenditure [163][164][165]. These interventions use different support mechanisms, such as advice, goal setting, feedback, PA tracking, tele-counselling, online resources and online social support [160], and online exercise classes. In pandemic times, these exercise modalities were particularly exploited as they are cost-and time-efficient and can be flexibly used in an environment with no infection risk.…”