Dr Leire Ambrosio National Institute for Health and Care Research. Applied Research Collaboration Wessex. School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton
Professor James Faulkner. Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Winchester.
Dr Danielle Lambrick. School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton.
Dr Jacqui Morris. School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee. J.Y.Morris@dundee.ac.uk
Eric Compton. Person with long term conditions. Public and patient Involvement. Southampton, UK
Professor Mari Carmen Portillo. National Institute for Health and Care Research. Applied Research Collaboration Wessex. School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton.
Regular physical activity (PA) participation has been shown to prevent and manage multiple long term conditions (LTCs), including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several cancers (1). Throughout the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the UK Government’s Chief Medical Officer along with the UK’s Prime Minister released regular guidance on how to limit the spread of COVID-19. This guidance included measures such as social distancing, self-isolation and/or shielding, with and without periods of ‘lockdown’ for the general population, including those living with LTCs (2). A consequence to these interventions which understandably focused on reducing the spread of COVID-19 have been shown to exacerbate poor lifestyle behaviours, namely less PA, impaired physical and psychological health, and higher mortality (2). Mental health is an important parameter to monitor during the COVID-19 pandemic as it provides an indication of how people can cope with normal stresses of life (WHO, 2021b). Negative changes in PA and exercise behaviour may promote the development and/or worsening of many LTCs, which may also contribute to potentially poorer outcomes in those who contract COVID-19 (1). It is important, therefore, to understand the impact of COVID-19 on PA and mental health in those living with LTCs.