Journal of Public Health Research (Aug 2021)

Exercise improves long-term social and behavioral rhythms in older adults: Did it play a role during the COVID-19 lockdown?

  • Giulia Cossu,
  • Cesar Ivan Abbile Gonzalez,
  • Luigi Minerba,
  • Roberto Demontis,
  • Massimiliano Pau,
  • Fernanda Velluzzi,
  • Caterina Ferreli,
  • Laura Atzori,
  • Sergio Machado,
  • Dario Fortin,
  • Ferdinando Romano,
  • Mauro Giovanni Carta

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2021.2432

Abstract

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The study aimed to verify whether exercise training in older adults can improve social behavioral rhythms (SBR) and if any modification is maintained over time. Older adults (n=120) from a previous randomized controlled trial, were randomly allocated to either a moderate-intensity exercise group or a control group. SBR was evaluated at t0, t26, and t48 weeks (during the COVID-19 lockdown), using the brief social rhythms scale (BSRS). Seventy-nine participants completed the follow-up (age 72.3±4.7, women 55.3%). An improvement in the BSRS score was found in the exercise group at 26 weeks (p=0.035) when the exercise program was concluded, and it was maintained at 48 weeks (p=0.013). No improvements were observed in the control group. To conclude, SBR, previously found as a resilience factor in older adults during COVID-19, appear to improve after a moderate 12 weeks exercise program, and the improvement persisted even after stopping exercise during the COVID-19 lockdown.

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