Physical activity interventions implemented for older people in sub-Saharan Africa: protocol for a scoping review

The global population of older people (OP) is on an upward trajectory, with predictions that the number of OP would surpass the population of younger people by 2050. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), death from infectious diseases in the younger population and lower fertility rates are influencing a double burden contributing to an exponential growth in the ageing population. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality and disability in the population of OP in SSA. Physical activity (PA) has been proven to have positive benefits in reducing the prevalence of NCDs in OP. The objective of this scoping review is to summarise the evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of PA interventions that have been implemented among OP to address PA levels, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, cognitive function, quality of life and body mass index in SSA.

The Joanna Briggs Insitute (JBI) methodology will be followed for this scoping review. An electronic search of PubMed, EBSCOhost (Academic Search Premier AfricaWide Information, CINAHL, Health Sources Premier Academic/Nursing), Scopus and ProQuest (grey literature) will be done from 2010 onwards to identify reports of randomised controlled studies published in English using relevant keywords. 2010 was selected as the cut-off point for inclusion in order to focus only on relatively recent evidence, as it is more likely to remain relevant and applicable to present-day settings. The searches will be performed by the primary reviewer in conjunction with a senior librarian. Full independent review of the uploaded articles will be done by two reviewers, by title and abstract, and thereafter by full text, based on specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. The reference list of included articles will be scanned for additional relevant articles. Disagreements will be arbitrated by a third reviewer. Results will be presented in a descriptive form as well as in tabular, graphical and diagrammatic formats, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews.

The review will be extracting and reporting on data from published literature so there is no requirement for ethics approval. The findings of the review will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.