Abstract
Background: There is wide discrepancy in how published research defines and reports home-based exercise programmes. Studies consisting of fundamentally different designs have been labelled as home-based, making searching for relevant literature challenging and time consuming. This issue has been further highlighted by an increased demand for these programmes following the COVID-19 pandemic and associated government-imposed lockdowns. Purpose: To examine what specifically constitutes home-based exercise by: (1) developing definitions for a range of terms used when reporting exercise and physical activity programmes and (2) providing examples to contextualise these definitions for use when reporting exercise and physical activity programmes. Methods: A literature search was undertaken to identify previous attempts to define home-based exercise programmes. A working document, including initial definitions and examples were developed, which were then discussed between six experts for further refinement. Results: We generated definitions for universal key terms within three domains (and subdomains) of programme design: location (home-based, community/centre-based, or clinical setting), prescription (structured or unstructured) and delivery (supervised, facilitated, or unsupervised). Examples for possible combinations of design terms were produced. Conclusions: Definitions will provide consistency when using reporting tools and the intention is to discuss the issues presented as part of a Delphi study. This is of paramount importance due to the predicted increase in emerging research regarding home-based exercise.
Highlights
A wide adoption of these terms will aid the undertaking of reviews across a broad spectrum of population groups
We recommend that future research should describe their exercise interventions using the definitions stated above, in order to provide clarity and consistency, and to propose a universal definition for home based as follows: Exercise or physical activity undertaken inside or within the immediate vicinity of the home
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, we anticipate further increases in research investigating the effectiveness of home-based exercise programmes, prompting a greater need for specific definitions to ease comparisons across emerging literature within the few years
Summary
(2) supervision, (3) behavioural supports/resources, (4) technology and (5) deviations Another proposed reporting method uses a simple coding system, for example ‘SGCP30x30 would refer to a Supervised Group exercise programme in the Community prescribed by a Physiotherapist for 30 min three times a week [5]. Both reporting tools utilise the terms supervised, community and home-based, which are inconsistently defined across the exercise science research and physical activity and health field due to changes over time from influences such as technology. Definitions when repo programme are commonly within existing programme that are commonly utilised within existing reporting guidelines [3,4]
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