Evaluation of the Physical Activity Level of the Elderly in Social Isolation

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in our country, individuals over 65 are prohibited from leaving their homes by T.C. The Ministry of Internal Affairs on March 21, 2020. While social isolation provides protection from COVID-19, it also brings some side effects that pose health risks. Studies investigating the relationship between social isolation and health behavior report that individuals with smaller social networks report less healthy diets, excessive alcohol consumption, and less physical activity. The effects of social isolation are related to physical inactivity, smoking.

Physical activity is any body movement produced by the contraction of skeletal muscles that increases energy consumption. 150 minutes of moderate PA, 75 minutes of severe PA per week, or combined moderate and severe intensity PA plus twice a week strength training is recommended for elderly. The prevalence of physical inactivity increases significantly with increasing age. At the global level, approximately 45% of people over the age of 60 do not meet the recommended level of PA. The decrease in physical performance is associated with the risk of falling, sarcopenia, fragility, decreased quality of life, emotionalization, comorbidity, early death, and increased health care costs.

The purpose of this study; to evaluate the physical activity level, functional capacity and quality of life of individuals over the age of 65 who socially isolated due to the precautions COVID-19 pandemic, and to investigate the effectiveness of video based home exercise program.

94 volunteers over 65 years old who are at home during the social isolation process due to the coronavirus outbreak will be included in the study. Participants will be divided into 2 groups of 47 people. 47 volunteers over 65 years old who are at home during the social isolation process due to the coronavirus outbreak will be included in home exercise group. A video exercise protocol was created and each exercise session was planned as daily 30 minutes for 6 weeks. Individuals will ask to do their exercises. It was planned to start the protocol with warm-up exercises and finish with cooling exercises. The exercise protocol was additionally determined as a combination of aerobic, balance and strengthening exercises. The exercise program consists of 3 levels and individuals will be provided to start at a level appropriate to their level of physical activity. The control group will be asked to remain isolated as they are and the exercise program will not be implemented.

Evaluation methods will be applied before starting the exercise program and at the end of 6 weeks.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Being 65 years old and over
* Being in social isolation due to coronavirus epidemic
* Spending at least 1 week at home different from routine life
* Not to be obstructed from doing physical activities
* To have access to online exercise training

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having serious cognitive impairment (Mini-mental state examination being lower than 24)
* Having serious hearing and vision problems
* Having vestibular disorders that can cause loss of balance
* having serious heart disease (aortic stenosis, angina, hypertrophic cardiac myopathy, arrhythmia, pacemaker)