The Physical Activity Patterns of Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Participants

This investigation aimed to examine the physical activity patterns of cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) participants. METHODS: The investigation enrolled 53 male and 24 female CRP participants between 46 and 88 years of age. By means of a uniaxial accelerometer (Life-Corder), the amount of physical activity (in kilocalories) and the time spent in physical activity at light (<3 metabolic equivalents [METs]), moderate (3 to 6 METs), and vigorous (>6 METs) intensity were evaluated. In addition to these variables, the MET levels for the CRP and non-CRP periods were calculated. RESULTS: The weekly amount of physical activity energy expenditure averaged 1597 ± 846 kcal/week, and the time spent in light, moderate and vigorous physical activity averaged, respectively, 375.5 ± 124.5 minutes, 125.2 ± 109.4 minutes, and 5.7 ± 12.8 minutes per week. These levels were significantly lower on non-CRP days than on CRP days: 177 ± 113 versus 299 ± 161 kcal/day and, respectively, 49.3 ± 19.3 versus 59.7 ± 19.8 minutes, 10.5 ± 14.6 versus 26.4 ± 20.4 minutes, and 0.4 ± 1.7 versus 1.4 ± 3.0 minutes per day. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the amount of physical activity was generally adequate on CRP days, but failed to reach target levels on non-CRP days. Thus CRP participants, when it is medically appropriate, should be encouraged to incorporate lifestyle physical activity, additional exercise, or both on non-CRP days to supplement their caloric expenditure from CRP exercise sessions.