Community-Based Physical Activity Interventions for Midle Aged and Older Populations: Good and Innovative Practices in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond

Dear Colleagues,

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had adverse effects worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for social distance resulted in lifestyle changes and altered social behaviour. Several studies proved that the period of confinement affected the physical and mental health of several populations. In addition, there has been much discussion of the health factors that have rendered some specific subgroups or health conditions more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19, including people with overweight and obesity, sarcopenia, cardiometabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, etc. Despite the importance of these subgroups, individuals with high sedentary behaviours or those with low levels of physical activity were also identified as more susceptible to the adverse effects of the disease. This global event caused abrupt physical inactivity, which is associated with not only a decrease in skeletal muscle mass, but also a loss of strength, which is an independent risk factor for mortality. 

However, during this period, innovative solutions have emerged, with the aim of mitigating the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. The disruption of distance positively influenced the exercise prescription area, which began testing follow-up solutions through online exercise programs, apps, platforms, and telehealth media. Post pandemic, many of these solutions were later adopted by companies or included in healthcare plans, as innovative practices to keep people mentally and physically fit.

We invite all colleagues and research groups to submit studies on innovative interventions involving physical activity, exercise, and other related schemes developed during the COVID-19 era and beyond. Systematic reviews of interventional studies approaching systematic physical activity/exercise or multifactorial interventions (in combination with exercise) are welcome. Intervention studies involving physical exercise mediated by technology are of particular interest. Research protocols that present innovative study designs inspired/developed during the COVID-19 period, and whose methodology can be used with other subgroups, such as those with space constraints, physical–cognitive impairments, or a need for adapted physical activity, will also be accepted.

Dr. Guilherme Furtado
Dr. Saulo Vasconcelos Rocha
Dr. Rubens Vinícius Letieri
Guest Editors

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