Nearly 7 out of 10 respondents to a global survey indicated an interest in digitally-delivered, at-home exercise programs, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
The survey, which included over 15,000 responses from 14 countries impacted by COVID-19, also identified four characteristics associated with an interest in digital home exercise programs:
- Identifying as female
- Working part-time
- Younger in age
- Being a member of a health club prior to the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions
Nearly 7 out of 10 respondents to a global survey indicated an interest in digitally-delivered, at-home exercise programs
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The survey further identified exercise preferences among the group who indicated an interest in digital home exercise, including:
- A median session length preference of 40 minutes
- An interest in working out at least three times per week
- A programming preference for flexibility (71.1%), resistance training (68.6%), and endurance exercise (62.4%)
The authors also found a preference difference between active and less active respondents:
“Active participants had more than twice the odds of preferring resistance exercises and about 1.5 the odds of preferring endurance training. Seeking to improve performance, they may prefer vigorous exercises, while less active individuals may select less vigorous exercises aiming to acquire health benefits with the lowest possible risk of adverse events,” observed the study authors.
Why It Matters
COVID-19 restrictions have caused a dramatic increase in available digital home exercise options. Although the popularity and prevalence of these options may decrease when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, it is likely that popularity will remain higher than pre-COVID levels. The fitness community should be monitoring these types of surveys closely to maximize the impact and reach of digital home exercise options for 2021 and beyond.
