Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Rationale: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and account for the majority of healthcare use in Canada, affecting more than one half of Canadian adults. Evidence suggests that community-based exercise programs improve health and physical function for individuals with chronic disease. The goal of this study was to describe the structure and delivery of community-based exercise programs designed for chronic disease populations and determine if they are more effective than usual care. Methods: Randomised trials examining the effects of community-based exercise programs were identified. Study selection identified articles that included stroke, COPD, arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease- the top five chronic diseases in Canada, as identified by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Results: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria for the primary goal of describing the structure of community-based programs. Twelve studies met the criteria for evaluating the effectiveness, representing a total of 1636 individuals with chronic disease . Conclusions: The results show that community-based exercise programs have been effective for improving health in multiple chronic disease populations. These programs have similar structures and addressing similar underlying issues.