Accessibility and applicability of physical activity guidelines and recommendations for adults living with long term conditions during COVID-19

To review the applicability and accessibility of physical activity guidelines for adults living with long-term conditions whilst shielding during the COVID-19. A narrative review with systematic methodology was conducted between 2015 and 2021, with two stages: 1) Search of electronic databases PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Cinahl; 2) search of long-term condition organisations. Sixty-five articles were identified, where nine included specific guidelines during the COVID-19, 28 specific guidelines to individuals living with long-term conditions and 7 identified the utilization of online resources. Twenty-one long-term condition organizations websites were reviewed where all of them included a section regarding physical activity guidelines and seven referred to online and offline accessible resources during COVID-19. Accessibility and applicability were variable across academic databases and long-term conditions organisation websites. Findings could inform long-term condition policy and guidelines development to better and more relevant support people living with long-term conditions to be physically active.

Automated summary

This study conducted a narrative review to examine the applicability and accessibility of physical activity guidelines for adults with long-term conditions who were shielding during the COVID-19 pandemic. The review identified 65 articles, including specific guidelines during COVID-19 and guidelines for individuals with long-term conditions. The accessibility and applicability of these guidelines varied across academic databases and long-term condition organizations' websites. The findings have implications for the development of policy and guidelines to support physically active lifestyles among individuals with long-term conditions.