Acceptability of virtual exercise program in healthy adolescents

ABSTRACT

Introduction: After the Covid 19 pandemic, telerehabilitation has become part of regular practice in pediatric rehabilitation. Despite the availability of studies exploring the feasibility of telerehabilitation in the pediatric population, studies measuring acceptability of telerehabilitation are limited. The aim of this study is to examine the acceptability of virtual exercise program in healthy adolescence. Methods: A virtual exercise program was implemented with 13 health adolescents aged 9-14 years old (n = 9 girls, n = 3 boys). Each session lasted 30-40 minutes and was implemented once a week for 6 weeks. After completion of the program, a semi-structure interview was conducted with each adolescent. Thematic analyses of interviews were done by two reviewers. Results: Result revealed seven themes. The adolescents perceived that exercise program improved their lifestyle (e.g. regularly exercise habit), social skills (e.g, peer interaction), and emotions (e.g. feeling happier, more energetic), yet busy schedule of daily routine (e.g. homework), technical issues (e.g. lack of internet connection during a trip, adjustment of camera while exercising), intensity of the exercise program (e.g. being tired after exercises) were some barriers to participation. On the other hand, the virtual nature of telerehabilitation was expressed as an advantage allowing adolescents to participate in the exercise program after school time. Conclusion: This study showed that virtual exercise programs may benefit adolescents from variance angles, yet there are some issues to be addressed to improve the implementation. Future studies should focus on the improvement of acceptability of telerehabilitation not only in the healthy population but also in children and adolescents with disabilities.