Cost-effectiveness and Efficacy of Physical Exercise on Mental and Physical Health in Older Adults: Role of Motivational Strategies and Digital Technology

Online exercise has increased in popularity during the pandemic, but there is no evidence of its feasibility and benefits in older people and the influence of motivational strategies. The main aims of this project are: i) To analyze the influence of applying or not motivational strategies during different physical exercise interventions (face-to-face and online) on the effect on mental health, physical health and adherence, according to sex/gender; ii) To analyze and compare the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of face-to-face and online exercise interventions on mental health, physical health and adherence, according to sex/gender. Participants will be 104 community-dwelling older adults (60-75 years) who will be randomized assigned to control, supervised face to face, supervised face to face plus motivation, synchronous online supervised exercise or synchronous online supervised exercise groups. The control group will carry out the usual activities they have been doing, and the intervention groups will participate for 24 weeks in multicomponent exercise intervention. Study assessments will be made before starting the intervention, at the end and after 24 weeks of follow-up. Primary variables will be changes in mental and physical health, assessed by the Trail Making Test, the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale, and lower extremity power measured by the sit to stand test. Secondary outcomes will include other parameters of mental and physical health, blood markers, physical activity, and cost-effectiveness analysis. The dropout rate, the attendance at the sessions, the injuries and other adverse events suffered by the participants, and technical incidences produced in the online modality will also be recorded. The results of this project will provide insight into the mental and physical health effects and feasibility of face-to-face and synchronous online supervised physical exercise interventions, and identify older adults' perceptions of the safety, barriers and facilitators of these interventions for future application and transfer to community settings.