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A convenience sample of 176 healthy, community-dwelling, inactive older adults (mean age 70 ± 5 years; 62 males, 114 females) were tracked for one year. The purpose was to describe the exercise modality choices older adults make one year following participation in an exercise and education intervention. Telephone follow-up contacted 137 participants (78%, men = 50, women = 87) and 62% of the men and 69% of the women reported to be “currently exercising.” Exercising independently was the most common type of exercise reported by 81% and 64% of men and women, respectively. Walking was the most commonly reported modality by both genders. The setting of exercise was most often reported to be at home or outside for both men and women. The main reason for continued participation at 12 months was for overall health (50% of men and 40% of women). Little variation was observed for exercise modality choice. Future interventions should consider a variety of exercise and physical activity opportunities for older adults.

Changes in exercise behavior and negative emotional states (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) in combat sport (e.g., boxing, wrestling, martial arts) athletes were examined the month prior to gym closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic (February 2020), and approximately 1 month following gym closures (May 2020). A total of 312 combat sport athletes from 33 different countries responded to the study solicitation. Results indicated a significant decrease in combat sport training following gym closures; however, participation in other exercise activities did not significantly change. Significant mean increases in depression, anxiety, and stress were found following combat gym closures. Regression analyses revealed that number of hours of participants participated in combat sport training added significant incremental variance explained in depressive and stress symptoms above and beyond that accounted for by sex differences, preexisting conditions, and training level. Practical implications regarding losses to preferred exercise activities are discussed.

This descriptive cross-sectional mixed methods study conducted in Singapore aimed to describe community-dwelling older adults’ differences in physical activity (PA) based on perceived safety to exercise, barriers to PA, and preferred modes of PA during a pandemic. Out of 268 older adults, 25.4% felt unsafe to exercise during the pandemic. More participants who felt unsafe were aged 75 years and older (72.1% vs. 57.0%, p = .028) and lacked formal education (54.4% vs. 37.0%, p = .040). Barriers included difficulties exercising with masks, family concerns, and exercise center closures. Those who felt unsafe were significantly more likely to exercise at home and had significantly shorter duration of exercise and walks per week (2.72 vs. 4.50 hr, p = .002). Perceived barriers and exercise preferences should be considered when developing programs to improve older adults’ PA during pandemics.