Non-communicable diseases are a leading cause of death and levels are rising. Lifestyle changes, including physical activity, have benefits in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, respiratory conditions and cognitive and mental health. In some cancers, particularly colon, prostate and breast, physical activity improves quality of life and outcomes before, during and after treatment. Sedentary time is an independent risk factor with adverse effects in hospitalised patients. Mechanisms include anti-inflammatory effects and augmentation of physiological and neuroendocrine responses to stressors. Engaging patients is affected by barriers: for clinicians, awareness of guidelines and personal physical activity levels are important factors; for patients, barriers are influenced by life events, socioeconomic and cultural factors. Interventions to increase activity levels are effective in the short- and medium-term, including brief interventions. Face-to-face is more effective than remote advice and behavioural interventions are more effective than cognitive. There are no published guidelines for physical activity in hospitalised patients.
Keywords: NCD; behavioural change; brief intervention; exercise; physical activity; sedentary.