A2 Review article, Literature review, Systematic review
Strategies to overcome barriers to physical activity participation in children and adults living with congenital heart disease : A narrative review (2024)

Gosbell, S., Ayer, J., Lubans, D., Coombes, J., Maiorana, A., Morris, N., Tran, D., & Cordina, R. (2024). Strategies to overcome barriers to physical activity participation in children and adults living with congenital heart disease : A narrative review. CJC Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjcpc.2024.05.002

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Gosbell, Sally, E.; Ayer, Julian, G.; Lubans, David, R.; Coombes, Jeff, S.; Maiorana, Andrew; Morris, Norman, R.; Tran, Derek, L.; Cordina, Rachael, L.

Journal or series: CJC Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease

eISSN: 2772-8129

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 10/05/2024

Volume: Early online

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjcpc.2024.05.002

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Abstract

Physical activity participation is critical for optimal physical, psychological, and cognitive health in children and adults living with congenital heart disease (CHD). Majority of the general population are not sufficiently active and with the added psychological, physical, and socioeconomic barriers faced by individuals with CHD, it is unsurprising many people living with CHD do not meet the recommendations for physical activity either. The aim of this review is to outline lifelong physical activity barriers faced by individuals living with CHD and provide age-appropriate strategies that can be utilised to ensure the development of long-term positive physical activity behaviours. Barriers to physical activity include safety fears, lack of encouragement, low exercise self-efficacy, body image concerns, limited education, socioeconomic status, reduced access to resources, and cardiac diagnosis and severity. These barriers are multifaceted and often begin in early childhood and continue to develop well into adulthood. Therefore, it is important for children to participate in physical activity from early stages of life as it has been shown to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, and quality of life. Current literature demonstrates that participation in physical activity and higher intensity exercise following appropriate screening is safe and should be encouraged rather than dissuaded in people born with a congenital heart condition.

Keywords: heart diseases; congenital heart diseases; physical activity; barriers; fear (emotions); encouragement; socioeconomic factors; psychosocial factors; literature surveys

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2024