2.3. Data Synthesis

After extracting the data, another author checked and combined the information of each article and prepared the tables that summarize the data of all articles (Supplementary data Table S1). The main key factors extracted from the articles were grouped in topics to enhance the comprehension of the results outcomes. This classification of findings was performed based on the identified factors from the studies included in this review and included:

Characteristics of the exercise program, that would comprise those factors related to how the physical exercise is planned, including the individualization, the evidence-based settings, and other characteristics such as frequency, duration, intensity, or volume.

Involvement of professionals from different disciplines, that would be related to the convenience of including experts or methods from different disciplines.

Supervision, which would include the significance or irrelevance of supervising the exercise interventions.

Technology, which would be focused on the potential additional benefits or disadvantages of including technological devices and applications to conduct the physical exercise intervention.

Initial exploration of participant’s characteristics, barriers, and facilitators, which would include the identification of relevant variables of the patients before the exercise interventions that could reduce or increase the adherence to exercise.

Participants’ education, adequate expectations, and knowledge about risks and benefits, which would be related to what the participants know or learn about the relevance of physical exercise for their own health so that the expectations about the improvements were not inaccurate.

Enjoyment and absence of unpleasant experiences, which would be related to the pleasure obtained while exercising and also by the absence of pain or discomfort.

Integration in daily living, which includes the consideration of the participant’s preferences and background to adapt the exercise characteristics and settings.

Social support and relatedness, which includes support from peers, staff, and family, as well as the establishment of positive social interactions and feelings of belonging to a group.

Communication and feedback, which is related to the effective interaction between the staff and the participant.

Available progress information and monitoring, providing enough information to the patient so that they can be aware of the changes and improvements from objective data.

Self-efficacy and competence, which is related to the participant’s perception of what they can do and what they will be able to do.

Participant’s active role, which would include self-management, self-control, self-monitoring, autonomy, and empowerment.

Goal setting, which is related to the establishment of adequate objectives.

Afterward, the reviews were classified considering the target population and participants’ characteristics in order to identify the most repeated factors obtained for each condition: cancer, cardiovascular disease, older people, participants with musculoskeletal pain, obesity patients, and exercise referral schemes.