title: A comparison of physical activity in men and women with cardiac disease: do gender roles complicate recovery?
abstract: Fifty-four male and twenty-six female married cardiac patients were studied for five months post-hospital discharge. Participants completed activity diaries for three days at 5, 10, 15, and 20 weeks. Reported activities were converted to METs. Patients increased activity across the five-month study period. Patients also tended to engage in higher levels of activity in the morning hours. Men and women did not differ in average total METs expended. Comparisons for specific activities indicated that women consistently expended more energy on domestic responsibilities, such as cleaning and laundry. Men engaged more in repairs, yardwork and carrying, but these activities were performed sporadically and involved low METs requirements. The concentrated domestic activity assumed by women early in recovery may pose a risk of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jenson
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Suls
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lemos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003710:Demography; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006796:Household Work; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012307:Risk Factors; D016387:Women's Health