Effectiveness of Physical Activity Interventions in Sedentary People during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Stefano Ciriminna, Nicola Veronese, Claudia Cannizzo, Alessandro D’Aleo, Antonina Ganci, Sofia Elena Montana Lampo, Federica Bifara, Giuseppe Battaglia, Giuseppe Messina, Valerio Giustino, Antonio Palma, Mario Barbagallo and Ligia J. Dominguez ()
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Stefano Ciriminna: Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Nicola Veronese: Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Claudia Cannizzo: Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Alessandro D’Aleo: Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Antonina Ganci: Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Sofia Elena Montana Lampo: Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Federica Bifara: Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Giuseppe Battaglia: Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Giuseppe Messina: Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele University, 20132 Rome, Italy
Valerio Giustino: Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Antonio Palma: Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Mario Barbagallo: Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Ligia J. Dominguez: Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: Background : The social restriction measures during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in decreasing physical activity levels. We aimed to evaluate whether the interventions reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of physical activity during the COVID-19 lockdown on people with sedentary behavior were effective. Methods : We searched several databases from their inception until 1 April 2023, including RCTs evaluating the effects of any physical activity intervention in increasing the physical activity level in people with sedentary behavior during COVID-19 confinement, based on evidence derived from intervention studies with a control group. Studies were excluded if they (i) did not include humans; (ii) did not include sufficient information regarding the interventions or regarding the outcomes of interest; (iii) did not have a control group. We used the Rayyan systematic review platform for the selection of the studies to include based on the title/abstract information. Results : Starting with 2461 records from the original literature search, and after reviewing them according to the latest PRISMA recommendations, 11 RCTs including a total of 1770 participants were available and were included in the systematic review. We found that most of the studies examined (73%) reported the beneficial effects of the proposed interventions on improving the physical activity, reducing the sedentary time, and positively contributing to the psychological well-being of the participants. Conclusions : The results of the present systematic review on RCTs of interventions to increase physical activity in sedentary people during the COVID-19 lockdown show the beneficial effects of diverse online-delivered strategies, which can be applied even after the pandemic in conditions in which access to in-person activities is not possible.

Keywords: physical activity; COVID-19; lockdown; tele-coaching; randomized controlled trial (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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