ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Physical activity levels during phase IV cardiac rehabilitation in a group of male myocardial infarction patients

K Woolf-May¹, S Bird²

¹ Canterbury Christ Church University College, Canterbury, Kent, UK
² Population Health, Sunshine Hospital and Melbourne University, Victoria, Australia

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Kate Woolf-May
Department of Sport Science, Tourism and Leisure, Canterbury Christ Church University College, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 1QU, UK; kw24{at}cant.ac.uk

Objective: To determine physical activity levels during phase IV cardiac rehabilitation in 31 male myocardial infarction patients (median age 62, range 53–77 years).

Methods: Patients recorded daily physical activity over 16 weeks in a diary. Diaries were analysed for total general physical activity (TGPA), leisure time physical activity (LTPA), and "active for life" exercise classes (AFL). Pre- and post-observation period (OP) subjects underwent a 10 m shuttle walking test (SWT) to determine changes in aerobic fitness. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) determined exercise intensity. Estimated gross energy expenditure (EEE) was determined by a regression equation between RPE and Vo₂ (l min^–1) during SWT. A total of 97% of subjects were on lipid lowering medication.

Results: There were no correlations between Vo₂ (l min^–1) and body mass, therefore kcal min^–1 indicated activity intensity. There were no significant changes in physical activity patterns or in aerobic fitness. Estimated total LTPA (median 1376, range 128–3380 kcal week^–1) was less than that recommended to improve aerobic fitness and/or slow progression of coronary artery disease. Sixteen subjects attended a median of 29 (range 1–46) AFL during LTPA; one way ANOVA showed these subjects worked at greater EEE (AFL, n = 16, 6.6 (standard deviation 1.4) v no-AFL, n = 15, 5.1 (1.8) EEE kcal min^–1, p = 0.017).

Conclusion: Physical activity was stable, but patients’ EEE appeared insufficient to improve aerobic fitness or slow progression of coronary artery disease. It was suggested that the promotion of LTPA and the availability of AFL classes should be reconsidered.

Abbreviations: AFL, "active for life" exercise classes; EEE, estimated gross energy expenditure; LTPA, leisure time physical activity; OP, observation period; RPE, rate of perceived exertion; SWT, shuttle walking test; TGPA, total general physical activity

Keywords: active for life exercise classes; energy expenditure; male; myocardial infarction; phase IV cardiac rehabilitation

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Commentary

P D MacIntyre³

Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; paul.Macintyre{at}rah.scot.nhs.uk

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Online original articles
Br. J. Sports Med. 2005 39: 158. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]