Understanding online exercise provision: a qualitative study of the perspectives of service users, instructors, and strategic leaders.

PURPOSE: Online exercise may reduce barriers to participation by increasing convenience, flexibility, and accessibility. However, few qualitative studies have examined the perspectives of key stakeholders on its role in exercise delivery. This study explored the perceptions and experiences of service users, exercise instructors, and strategic leaders regarding online exercise.

METHODS

Focus groups were undertaken with 68 participants from North West England, comprising 50 service users, 10 exercise instructors, and 8 strategic leaders. Data were analyzed using a coding reliability thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three overarching themes of barriers, benefits, and facilitators emerged. Common barriers included set-up challenges, exercise safety, privacy, security, and digital literacy. Instructor-specific challenges included insurance, music licensing, and monitoring participant engagement. Common benefits included convenience, flexibility, and social interaction. Strategic leaders viewed online exercise as valuable for underserved populations and supporting progression to in-person participation. Accessibility, guidance, and training were common facilitators, while strategic leaders expressed the need for a business case, integration into organizational strategy, collaboration, and partnership.

CONCLUSION

Online exercise is perceived as a valuable complement to in-person provision. However, effective implementation requires addressing technical, safety, privacy, and organizational challenges. Inclusive design, improving digital literacy, instructor training, organizational strategy, and cross-sector collaboration may facilitate its adoption.