title: Barriers to physical activity between adults with stroke and their care partners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Healthy living includes meeting daily physical activity guidelines. This study compares daily physical activity rates and barriers to physical activity for people with stroke and their partners (spouse or significant other).
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical abilities, energy expenditure, daily steps, and barriers to physical activity are evaluated in people who have completed stroke rehabilitation and their partners.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty pairs of adults (mean age 69.7 years) participated. Participants with stroke were classified as sedentary, averaging 2,990 (± 2,488) steps per day. Their partners are classified as low active, averaging 6,378 (± 2,149) steps per day. For stroke survivors, physical abilities were positively correlated to daily activity rates. The number of steps walked per day was moderately correlated to 6-minute walk tests (r = 0.550, P < .05), comfortable gait speeds (r = 0.588, P < .05), and fast gait speeds (r = 0.677, P < .01). For care partners, physical abilities were not correlated to daily physical activity. People with stroke report lack of skill as a primary barrier; their partners report lack of time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The relationship between physical ability and physical activity is reinforced with this study. The impact of stroke on the family, particularly on time demands of the primary caregiver, suggests the needs of the care partner may not be adequately addressed in the rehabilitation process.
authors: Human Movement Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors: Kathryn R
authors: KR
authors: Zalewski
authors: Leah
authors: L
authors: Dvorak
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology