Self-report Versus Measured Physical Activity Levels During Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Purpose: Many patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) do not achieve the recommended physical activity (PA) levels during and after cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The aim of this study was to analyze moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels and the differences between perceived (self-reported) and measured (activity monitor) MVPA in CAD patients during CR. The second aim was to analyze which patient characteristics were associated with this difference.

Methods: A two-center observational-sectional study was conducted within the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of the University Medical Center Groningen between January and April 2018. Adults with CAD, following an outpatient CR program, were included. Perceived MVPA was assessed with the Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-enhancing Physical Activity and compared with ActivPAL3 activity monitor outcomes over a period of 7 d.

Results: Fifty-one patients with CAD (age 59.4 ± 7.1 yr, eight females) were recruited. Four patients (8%) did not achieve the recommended guideline level of ≥150 min/wk of MVPA. Patients spent ≥80% of the week in sedentary activities. Patients overestimated MVPA with a median of 805 (218, 1363) min/wk (P< .001). The selected patient characteristics (age, body mass index, type of CAD, type of CR, social support, and self-efficacy) were not associated with this overestimation.

Conclusions: Most patients with CAD, participating in an outpatient CR program, do achieve MVPA exercise recommendations but spend simultaneously too much time in sedentary activities.