Older Adults’ Continuance Intentions for Online Physical Exercise Classes

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns and social distancing measures drove the shift from in-person to online physical exercise classes, leading individuals to explore these digital alternatives. Guided by the Expectation-Confirmation Model, this article examines older adults’ intentions to continue using online physical exercise classes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 adults aged 65 and older who had participated in online physical exercise classes during the pandemic. Transcripts were subject to thematic analysis using the NVivo software program. The results indicate that older adults recognize the usefulness of online physical exercise classes because of their ability to enhance their health and well-being. Their initial expectations were surpassed, and they were generally satisfied with the experience. However, in-person classes remained preferred due to their enhanced benefits. They also felt that the adoption of online classes was involuntary; instead of an autonomous decision guided by their needs and preferences, this was a viable solution imposed by the lockdown. Therefore, their continuance intentions are limited to specific conditions, namely a new lockdown or other physical impediments. Still, considering the flexibility that online physical exercise classes offer, accommodating time and physical constraints, participants highlighted the advantages of a hybrid approach for those who may face challenges attending in-person classes. Based on the findings, this article proposes that ECM provides a relevant, yet insufficient, framework for explaining older adults’ continuance intentions for online physical exercise classes, suggesting the inclusion of additional explaining factors: perceived usefulness of non-technological alternatives, necessary conditions, and self-determination.