[Physical Activity Recommendations for Adults with a Chronic Disease: Methods, Database and Rationale]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Exercise Science
• Chronic Disease Management

Background:

• Adults with chronic diseases require tailored physical activity guidance.
• Existing recommendations vary and need synthesis for broader application.
• Physical activity offers significant health benefits but carries potential risks for this group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop generic, evidence-based physical activity recommendations for adults aged 18-65 with chronic diseases.
• To synthesize high-quality recommendations from existing literature for seven specific chronic conditions.
• To provide a quality-controlled basis for promoting physical activity in adults with chronic conditions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature searches identified current physical activity recommendations for seven chronic diseases.
• Recommendations were evaluated against 28 quality criteria.
• Content analysis and synthesis of high-quality recommendations informed the development of generic guidelines.

Main Results:

• Thirty-seven high-quality physical activity recommendations were identified.
• Reviews and meta-analyses confirmed health benefits and dose-response effects of physical activity.
• Generic recommendations were synthesized for adults with chronic diseases, considering benefits and risks.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity significantly enhances health, functioning, and quality of life in adults with chronic diseases.
• Adapted and individualized physical activity is safe and effective for this population.
• The developed generic recommendations provide a reliable foundation for physical activity promotion.