Development of policy recommendations to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity and mental health in individuals with multimorbidity: a mixed method study

Project Team

Project lead:

• Professor Maria Carmen Portillo, Professor of Long-term Conditions Management at the University of Southampton

Project members:

• Dr. Leire Ambrosio, Lecturer in Adult Nursing at the University of Southampton
• Dr. Danielle Lambrick, Associate Professor at the University of Southampton
• Professor Beth Stuart, Professor of Medical Statistics and Clinical Trials Co-Director of the Pragmatic Trials Unit at Queen Mary University of London
• Ms. Katherine Baker, University Hospital Southampton
• Mr. Eric Compton, PPI Representative 
• Professor James Faulkner, Professor in Sport and Exercise Physiology at University of Winchester
• Dr. Jacqui Morris, physiotherapist and Reader in Rehabilitation Research at University of Dundee
• Professor Melitta McNarry Professor in Sport and Exercise Sciences, Swansea University 
• Professor Suzanne McDonough, Professor in the School of Physiotherapy at RCSI
• Mr. Jack Shakespeare (UK Active)
• Dr. Matt Wade (UK Active)
• Dr. James Steele, Associate Professor Department of Sport and Health at Solent University

Project funder: Wessex Applied Research Collaboration. NIHR

Policy and research support: Gareth Giles, Rose Seneviratne

Project overview

Aim of the research:

To understand the impact of COVID-19 and government restrictions on physical activity and mental health of people with long-term conditions, and propose recommendations to support and sustain their physical activity during and after COVID-19 or other pandemics.

The findings of the study will inform stakeholder events across the UK including participants and policy-makers to draw action plans together.

Background to the research:

People, including those with long-term conditions, were told to use physical distancing, self-isolation and/or shielding during COVID-19 to protect themselves and others.

Government guidance on physical activity may or may not have explained to people how to be physically active and take part in exercise during COVID-19. Physical activity has a positive effect on physical and mental health, so understanding the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity behaviours (amount, type and intensity of physical activity, resources) of people with or without long-term conditions is important.

Design and methods used:

First, information will be gathered about government guidance on physical distancing, self-isolation and/or shielding, and online and offline resources available to support people with long-term conditions to be physically active during COVID-19. Secondly, an online quantitative data survey will be sent to people living with- and without long-term conditions to see what their physical activity and mental health was like during different stages of COVID-19 and what resources they used to stay active. Thirdly, interviews with 50 people will be conducted (with or without long-term conditions) to gain a deeper understanding of COVID-19 effects on physical activity and mental health, and understand participants' choice of resources to stay active and why some factors may have influenced their physical activity. Finally, findings will inform stakeholder engagement meetings with individuals with long-term conditions and local, regional, and national policy-makers, to co-produce recommendations that will help people living with long-term conditions remain active during and after COVID-19 and other pandemics.

Target audience and dissemination:

Study findings will be sent to the House of Lords COVID-19 Committee. Local health authorities such as County Council Health and Well-being boards will be contacted, and Directors of Public Health. Work will be done with national patient and professional organisations that support people with long-term conditions to disseminate the findings to their communities. Study findings will be published in international journals and presented at conferences.

Anticipated policy impacts of project 

Findings emerged in this study are unique showing the effect of lockdown restrictions, as well as the barriers and facilitators to PA during COVID-19 for those living with different LTCs. These findings have important implications for policy and guidelines development. Particularly, findings will be used to inform stakeholder engagement meetings with individuals with LTCs and local, regional, and national policy makers, to coproduce person-centred policy recommendations that will help people living with LTCs remain active during and after COVID-19 and other pandemics.

Outputs of project

• L Ambrosio, D Lambrick, J Faulkner and MC Portillo. Accessibility and applicability of physical activity guidelines and recommendations for adults living with long term conditions during COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH. 2022.
• Leire Ambrosio, Danielle Lambrick, James Faulkner, Jacqui Morris, Mari Carmen Portillo. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity and mental health in individuals with multimorbidity: an explanatory sequential mixed method study. 7th World Conference on Qualitative Research. Oral communication. February 2023.

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