Physical activity interventions implemented for older people in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND

Sub-Saharan Africa mirrors global patterns with an expanding elderly demographic, frequently characterised by a high incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), manifesting as multimorbidity. Physical activity (PA) is a validated intervention for managing the increasing prevalence of NCDs in this demographic.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to elucidate the extent of PA interventions implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa for managing NCDs in older people (OP).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

This review synthesised randomised controlled trials published in English since 2010, focusing on PA interventions for managing NCDs or associated risk factors in OP in Sub-Saharan Africa.

SOURCES OF EVIDENCE

The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews was implemented with searches in the following databases: PubMed, EBSCOhost (Academic Search Premier AfricaWide Information, CINAHL, Health Sources Premier Academic/Nursing), Scopus and ProQuest.

CHARTING METHODS

Extraction and reporting adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses-Scoping Reviews framework, ensuring rigorous and systematic synthesis.

RESULTS

A total of 3754 studies were initially identified, with 67 studies ultimately included after applying the exclusion criteria. The synthesised trials tested primarily supervised structured PA interventions (n=30), education on PA and lifestyle (n=30) and combined structured PA with lifestyle education (n=7). A structured supervised PA regimen combining aerobic exercise at 60-80% of maximum heart rate (three 45-60 min sessions per week) and resistance training starting at 50% of one-repetition maximum (3 weekly sessions of three sets with 10-12 repetitions per muscle group), progressively increasing to 60%, was the most effective in reducing risk factors associated with NCDs in this cohort.

CONCLUSION

This analysis confirms that a structured PA regimen paired with lifestyle education significantly mitigates NCDs in Sub-Saharan Africa's elderly population. Furthermore, it highlights the imperative for further investigation into non-pharmacological strategies, especially those targeting hypertension, diabetes and cognitive health disorders.