Telephone coaching supports exercise in people with prediabetes and diabetes: A mixed-methods study

• Main Author: Bomtempo, Ana Paula Delgado
• Publication Date: 2025
• Other Authors: Ghisi, Gabriela Lima de Melo, Seixas, Mariana Balbi, Pereira, Adriano Luiz, Oh, Paul, Pereira, Danielle Aparecida Gomes, Silva, Lilian Pinto da
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física & Saúde (Online)
• Download full: https://rbafs.org.br/RBAFS/article/view/15310
• topic: Diabetes mellitus; Telephone coaching; Physical exercise; Diabetes mellitus; Coaching por telefone; Exercício físico

Objective: To evaluate whether a telephone coaching intervention can help people with prediabetes and diabetes to exercise as recommended by diabetes guidelines after a lifestyle intervention. Methods: The telefone coaching intervention included problem-solving strategies to address barriers to successfully implementing an action plan to achieve exercise goals. Data were collected from January to December 2020 in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Confidence, motivation, barriers to exercise, and weekly exercise duration were evaluated using both quantitative (questions with response options on a 0-10 Likert scale) and qualitative (open-ended questions) data, which were analyzed complementarily using mixed methods. Results: Thirty-one individuals (20 to 74 years old, 55% male, 71% type 2 diabetes) answered, on average, 4.0 ± 1.4 phone calls. The averages of confidence and motivation to exercise scores were between 8.0 to 8.7 and 7.0 to 8.9, respectively. The most frequently reported barriers to exercise were weather, pain or physical injuries, and lack of adequate space. The average self-reported time exercising was higher than 150 minutes/week in all phone calls. The main reasons for feeling confident and motivated to exercise were knowledge about exercise, joy in exercising, and benefits in physical health. Conclusion: The telephone coaching intervention can support people with prediabetes and diabetes in adhering to exercise recommendations outlined in diabetes guidelines, especially after participating in programs focused on promoting lifestyle changes.