Physical and psychological optimization of tele-exercise programs by establishing guidelines
Abstract Tele-exercise has significant potential as a tool to promote physical activity, particularly for individuals facing barriers to accessing gyms or sports centres due to geographical, physical, or financial constraints. While tele-exercise derives from telemedicine, it remains a less defined...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10697-5 |
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| author | Manuela Cantoia Giovanna Zimatore Barbara Matteo Martina Sausa Antonio Fabbrizio Andrea De Giorgio Angilletta Sonia Nuno Domingos Garrido Victor Machado Reis José Manuel Vilaça-Alves Gabriela Chaves Lucas Rafael Peixoto Filippo Macaluso Carlo Baldari Alberto Fucarino Enzo Iuliano |
| author_facet | Manuela Cantoia Giovanna Zimatore Barbara Matteo Martina Sausa Antonio Fabbrizio Andrea De Giorgio Angilletta Sonia Nuno Domingos Garrido Victor Machado Reis José Manuel Vilaça-Alves Gabriela Chaves Lucas Rafael Peixoto Filippo Macaluso Carlo Baldari Alberto Fucarino Enzo Iuliano |
| author_sort | Manuela Cantoia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Tele-exercise has significant potential as a tool to promote physical activity, particularly for individuals facing barriers to accessing gyms or sports centres due to geographical, physical, or financial constraints. While tele-exercise derives from telemedicine, it remains a less defined field with no established guidelines to regulate or standardize its implementation. This gap highlights the need for structured frameworks to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and accessibility of tele-exercise. This study aimed to establish a consensus on some fundamental aspects of tele-exercise through a structured four-round process. A mixed-method approach combined analyses of scientific literature with a modified Delphi approach of 4 rounds of experts’ opinions collected via focus groups and an ad hoc questionnaire. A consensus criterion of ≥ 60% agreement was applied. Experts (n = 17 internal, n = 14 external) validated 7 thematic areas and 25 operational recommendations, including fitness training design (e.g., 2–10 participants/session in synchronous mode), safety protocols, and technology requirements. In detail, the following fundamental aspects were addressed: (1) operative definitions of tele-exercise, (2) fitness training programs design, (3) requirements for spaces and equipment, (4) safety protocols for remote exercise, (5) the role and impact of technology, (6) relational and communication strategies to enhance engagement, and (7) monitoring methods for asynchronous and synchronous training sessions. Answers were analysed through a manual content analysis. The guidelines provide a comprehensive examination of these aspects, addressing current gaps and limitations while outlining opportunities for improvement. The study underscores the importance of developing standardized practices to ensure safe and effective implementation of tele-exercise. These findings establish a preliminary framework for tele-exercise implementation, highlighting consensus on technical and psychological features critical for scalability and safety in diverse populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-479db67e9380431ba23ea417df19b582 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-479db67e9380431ba23ea417df19b5822025-08-20T03:42:57ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-10697-5Physical and psychological optimization of tele-exercise programs by establishing guidelinesManuela Cantoia0Giovanna Zimatore1Barbara Matteo2Martina Sausa3Antonio Fabbrizio4Andrea De Giorgio5Angilletta Sonia6Nuno Domingos Garrido7Victor Machado Reis8José Manuel Vilaça-Alves9Gabriela Chaves Lucas10Rafael Peixoto11Filippo Macaluso12Carlo Baldari13Alberto Fucarino14Enzo Iuliano15Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus UniversityDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus UniversityDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus UniversityDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus UniversityDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus UniversityDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus UniversityDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus UniversityResearch Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD)Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD)Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD)Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD)Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD)Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of PalermoDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus UniversityDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus UniversityDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus UniversityAbstract Tele-exercise has significant potential as a tool to promote physical activity, particularly for individuals facing barriers to accessing gyms or sports centres due to geographical, physical, or financial constraints. While tele-exercise derives from telemedicine, it remains a less defined field with no established guidelines to regulate or standardize its implementation. This gap highlights the need for structured frameworks to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and accessibility of tele-exercise. This study aimed to establish a consensus on some fundamental aspects of tele-exercise through a structured four-round process. A mixed-method approach combined analyses of scientific literature with a modified Delphi approach of 4 rounds of experts’ opinions collected via focus groups and an ad hoc questionnaire. A consensus criterion of ≥ 60% agreement was applied. Experts (n = 17 internal, n = 14 external) validated 7 thematic areas and 25 operational recommendations, including fitness training design (e.g., 2–10 participants/session in synchronous mode), safety protocols, and technology requirements. In detail, the following fundamental aspects were addressed: (1) operative definitions of tele-exercise, (2) fitness training programs design, (3) requirements for spaces and equipment, (4) safety protocols for remote exercise, (5) the role and impact of technology, (6) relational and communication strategies to enhance engagement, and (7) monitoring methods for asynchronous and synchronous training sessions. Answers were analysed through a manual content analysis. The guidelines provide a comprehensive examination of these aspects, addressing current gaps and limitations while outlining opportunities for improvement. The study underscores the importance of developing standardized practices to ensure safe and effective implementation of tele-exercise. These findings establish a preliminary framework for tele-exercise implementation, highlighting consensus on technical and psychological features critical for scalability and safety in diverse populations.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10697-5Remote trainingeHealthTele-fitnessTele-coachingHome-based exerciseSynchronous and asynchronous mode |
| spellingShingle | Manuela Cantoia Giovanna Zimatore Barbara Matteo Martina Sausa Antonio Fabbrizio Andrea De Giorgio Angilletta Sonia Nuno Domingos Garrido Victor Machado Reis José Manuel Vilaça-Alves Gabriela Chaves Lucas Rafael Peixoto Filippo Macaluso Carlo Baldari Alberto Fucarino Enzo Iuliano Physical and psychological optimization of tele-exercise programs by establishing guidelines Scientific Reports Remote training eHealth Tele-fitness Tele-coaching Home-based exercise Synchronous and asynchronous mode |
| title | Physical and psychological optimization of tele-exercise programs by establishing guidelines |
| title_full | Physical and psychological optimization of tele-exercise programs by establishing guidelines |
| title_fullStr | Physical and psychological optimization of tele-exercise programs by establishing guidelines |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physical and psychological optimization of tele-exercise programs by establishing guidelines |
| title_short | Physical and psychological optimization of tele-exercise programs by establishing guidelines |
| title_sort | physical and psychological optimization of tele exercise programs by establishing guidelines |
| topic | Remote training eHealth Tele-fitness Tele-coaching Home-based exercise Synchronous and asynchronous mode |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10697-5 |
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