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

https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2021.2432
  • Giulia Cossu
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
  • Cesar Ivan Abbile Gonzalez
    University Hospital of Cagliari, Italy.
  • Luigi Minerba
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
  • Roberto Demontis
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
  • Massimiliano Pau
    Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Italy.
  • Fernanda Velluzzi
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
  • Caterina Ferreli
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
  • Laura Atzori
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8105-1402
  • Sergio Machado
    Department of Sports and Methods Techniques, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brazil.
  • Dario Fortin
    University of Trento, Italy.
  • Ferdinando Romano
    La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
  • Mauro Giovanni Carta
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.

ABSTRACT

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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