Impacto do exercício físico orientado de forma remota na percepção da qualidade de vida: estudo de caso durante a pandemia de COVID-19.

Abstract

Introduction: The challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the population's health. Government-mandated actions to prevent the spread of the virus, such as the closure of designated spaces for physical exercise, have led to increased sedentary behavior, considered a serious public health issue. Digital communication tools available on the internet have helped the population to exercise at home. Remote physical exercise, used as a means of controlling and preventing chronic diseases in the context of the pandemic, can be an important telehealth strategy for reducing sedentary behavior and the risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), as well as for achieving the goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially SDG 3: Health and Well-being. Objective: To analyze the perception of users of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) regarding the quality of life and health improvement through remotely guided physical exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study conducted during the pandemic years (from February 2020 to May 2023), carried out in a nationally active NGO. An online questionnaire was administered to assess the perception of the NGO's participants regarding health-related quality of life through remotely guided physical exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The sample consisted of 62 respondents, with an average age of 61 years, predominantly women (95%). The telehealth strategy showed positive results: 66.3% of participants experienced improvement in self-image, 72.6% reported improvement in personal relationships, 43% noticed improvements in sleep quality, and there was a significant reduction in physical pain in 67% of cases. Conclusion: Remotely conducted physical exercise improved the perception of health-related quality of life, suggesting that telehealth programs, based on physical exercise, have the potential to advance sustainable development indicators, contributing to the health and well-being of practitioners, especially the elderly and people living in low- and middle-development regions.