Practical recommendations for staying physically active during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic literature review

Bentlage, Ellen; Ammar, Achraf; Chtourou, Hamdi; Trabelsi, Khaled; How, Daniella; Ahmed, Mona; Brach, Michael

Background: Due to home-confinement and social isolation of during the Covid-19 pandemic, reductions in performing physical activities were obsered. A main consequence of inactivity is a poorer general health and a higher mortality rate. Therefore, it is important to inform the public about practical recommendations for staying physically active, especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Through a systematic review of literature in two databases (Pubmed/Medline; Web of Science), studies were analysed which include practical recommendations for staying active during Covid-19 (Q1), or if they did not explicitly deal with Covid-19, research with useful results regarding the adaption to the present situation (Q2). Results: Currently, there are 6 studies published which are related to the first research question. In total, 26 papers, were found to correlate to the second one. Conclusion: Researchers need to be more specific in the exact recommendations for different age-groups and various health statuses. Key sources are the websites of the World Health Organization and the American Heart Association. In addition, exergames need to be adaptable to restrictions by product designers and to integrate social interaction-functions. Furthermore, it is essential that governmental actions need to be taken, with the help of researchers, to inform citizens about possible physical activities, with precise examples, clarification of benefits of the exercises, the exact exercise with duration, intensity and other substitute tasks for different age-groups and for people with diseases.