Association between the self-reported like engaging in physical activity and the physical activity level in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Background: Patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) face numerous barriers to engaging in physical activity (PA), such as exercise-induced pain, so it is reasonable to hypothesize that these patients do not like engaging in PA. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the prevalence of self-reported like engaging in PA, as well as whether this factor is associated with higher levels of PA and lower sedentary behavior (SB) in patients with symptomatic PAD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 178 patients with symptomatic PAD who were submitted to a question related to self-reported like engaging in PA and a questionnaire related personal and environmental barriers to PA. PA level parameters (accelerometer) and six-minute walk test were also evaluated. The association between the like engaging in PA and PA level was analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression adjustments for sex, age, ankle-brachial and six-minute walk test. A significance was accepted at p<0.05.

Results: 70.2% of our sample answered "totally agree" or "agree in part" with the statement "I like engaging in PA". Only lack of energy was the most prevalent barrier in patients who do not like engaging in PA. No significant associations between self-reported like to do PA and PA level and SB parameters were found (Light PA: OR = 1.000, CI95% = 0.999 - 1.000, P = 0.737; Moderate-vigorous PA: OR = 1.000, CI95% = 0.996; 1.003, P = 0.890; and SB: OR = 1.000, CI95% = 1.000; 1.000, P = 0.836).

Conclusions: Although large proportion of patients with symptomatic PAD self-reported like engaging in PA, it was not associated with PA level and SB in patients with symptomatic PAD.