Physical exercise is difficult between people because most exercises succeed when they are competitive, so most people become obese due to COVID-19 disease.

Although I am not a practitioner of physical exercise / activity in remote mode, I understand that it is of paramount importance to maintain the mental and physical health of its users.

I believe that these technological means will have a very significant increase in adepts, after the pandemic.

It's a difficult question to answer. I've certainly seen an increase in number of people doing exercise outdoors - anything from new running enthusiasts to individuals doing body weight/compound exercises. In the UK there has been an increase in bike sales during the lockdown as it is considered a safe mode of exercise these days. However, whether this trend will continue on is difficult to predict. Exercise, especially that which is done out side of a class or a gym requires commitment. Those who have done best are probably those who were already committed to an online program/platform and those who had built themselves a small home gym. I believe this perceived increase in exercise it due to boredom from not being allowed to go back to work or from not being allowed to consume at the regular markets - cafés, bars, retail stores etc..lack of general distraction. Once these options are again available I doubt (but hope I'm wrong) that the overall majority will continue with their exercise routine. Once lockdowns were lifted in China, the air pollution drastically increased again from all those who took to using their car.

It's, however, important to consider the "second wave". It's possible that once it hits us, it will push people to online exercise platforms/programs. Especially if outdoor cardio exercise is again (or even further) limited. It has been implied that cardio exercises that promote increased ability for oxygen uptake has a strong positive impact on your ability to cope with a severe SARS-CoV-19 infection, requiring ICU admittance. But again, it really depends on people commitment and the their motivation - health or outward appearance...with the latter perhaps not mattering so much if you're going to be confined to your home for the next X number of months.

Indeed Leonardo de Almeida Herzog we believe that using these tools does not exclude the primacy of face-to-face physical activity or outdoor physical activities; but it is an alternative in the event of environmental constraints and also an alternative to self-care as internet can be a very democratic environment. Also, web-based physical activity may help to decrease physical inactivity across the world.

If you fancy, I suggest reading our latest work on the matter. The role of physical activity at home are explored. best regards, Thiago

Matias, T., Dominski, F. H., & Marks, D. F. (2020). Human needs in COVID-19 isolation. Journal of Health Psychology.

Thanks for you reply Widad Dantoft

I cannot agree more with you. I think that the raising question applies best in countries where social distancing measures prohibited outdoors physical activities such as Brazil. Analyzing the matter we observed in a recent work that physical activity became a phenomenon. Also we observed that exercising at home can be performed without self-criticism which in turn may provide adaptive coping, problem-solving and psychological well-being. In this sense, we believe that physical activity in remote mode can create opportunities for people who normally do not attend the social standards and requirements from traditional forms of Physical Activities. Best regards, Thiago

Matias, T., Dominski, F. H., & Marks, D. F. (2020). Human needs in COVID-19 isolation. Journal of Health Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105320925149

Hello.I think that remote physical activity come to stay. I have seen many people asking me for exercise plans in my daily work as exercise physician. In other hand physical activiyt recommendation can be reach in many ways, walking in frnt of the TV, dancing, etc. The people need to move anyway. We must be able to give them all the posibilities.

Thanks for asking!

Reducing gravity dependent exercise and workouts (free weights, machine, kettlebells, etc) and increased use of resistance bands, especially wearable resistance band training will make home workouts more fitness and human movement oriented and therefore, more adaptogenic.

Article Resistance Training: A Meta-Analysis of the Current EBM

As someone directly involved in the delivery of physical activity to different populations, I certainly think that exercise will have a big change and be remote, at least for certain populations.

People in the "high risk" categories are a great example. Without a vaccine, it is unlikely that staying at home guidelines for these populations will change a lot. Thus, fitness trainers and practitioners will have to develop new ways of keeping these people active. In addition, although I have no evidence, I can imagine certain people deciding not to exercise in a gym or public facilities because of the risk of transmission. Thus, they are likely to turn to online sessions as a way to keep active.

In my personal experience, remote sessions have been working well. I do not think that they will completely replace face to face sessions but I am convinced that they will be a lot more common from now on. They provide a suitable alternative for a wide variety of individuals that either cannot leave home or prefer not to exercise in closed or public environments. Fitness trainers and practitioners will need to adapt and cater to the new requirements of this modality and the needs of the individuals.

Sebastian:

I think you have outlined the future of fitness/exercise/workouts well.

What are your suggestions for "suitable alternatives" & ways that "fitness trainers & practitioners will need to adapt" to?

Dr Sha

Hi, Dr Dennis Shavelson

The suitable alternatives and ways how trainers and practitioners need to adapt will change on an individual basis.

For instance, let´s think about an individual with a medical condition, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Performing remote sessions could imply a risk for the clients/patients given the lack of medical support available nearby. Governing bodies such as the NHS could regulate this by grouping people depending on their location, where a medically trained practitioner/assistant could be "on shift" ready to support any medical emergency.

In addition, unstable internet connections, poor video quality or even clients unwilling to share their video can make very difficult technique spotting and thus, coaching safely. Also, clients can have diverse environmental limitations (height of the ceiling, available space around, noise restrictions, etc).

Moreover, from a practitioner view, a stable internet connection, good quality camera, good microphone and proficiency managing the platform being used will be a must. Additionally, we need to find a way to standardise any equipment used (like a resistance device that could be made with a backpack or a plastic bag) so that we can ensure that every person in the session (in a group environment) can work accordingly. Diversifying our exercise library developing several progressions and regressions will be important.

dear Sebastian Mora I cannot agree ore with you! thank you on replying my question.

Dr. Dennis Shavelson I have a in press article coming soon about the matter... I let you know as soon as I receive the final version.

best regards

Thiago

Thiago Matias:

Nothing has changed in the six weeks that have not seen new posts here except for the need to come to grip with the reality that we are never going back to "the good old days" of fitness training and research.

I have never received your "press article" and would enjoy a copy if it exists.

The problems that I see is that most critics to telehealth & adaptogenic applications for RT, Physiatric Interventions and Fitness programs are focused on its deficits when compared to gym rats or personal trained individuals and not to the hunkered down, depressed, less fit, co-morbid, "here-to-stay" lifestyles of our clients & patients as the cohort IMHO.

Stay safe

Dennis