title: Daily physical activity in stable heart failure patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical activity is the only nonpharmacological therapy that is proven to be effective in heart failure (HF) patients in reducing morbidity. To date, little is known about the levels of daily physical activity in HF patients and about related factors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to (a) describe performance-based daily physical activity in HF patients, (b) compare it with physical activity guidelines, and (c) identify related factors of daily physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The daily physical activity of 68 HF patients was measured using an accelerometer (SenseWear) for 48 hours. Psychological characteristics (self-efficacy, motivation, and depression) were measured using questionnaires. To have an indication how to interpret daily physical activity levels of the study sample, time spent on moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activities was compared with the 30-minute activity guideline. Steps per day was compared with the criteria for healthy adults, in the absence of HF-specific criteria. Linear regression analyses were used to identify related factors of daily physical activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-four percent were active for less than 30 min/d, whereas 56% were active for more than 30 min/d. Fifty percent took fewer than 5000 steps per day, 35% took 5000 to 10 000 steps per day, and 15% took more than 10 000 steps per day. Linear regression models showed that New York Heart Association classification and self-efficacy were the most important factors explaining variance in daily physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The variance in daily physical activity in HF patients is considerable. Approximately half of the patients had a sedentary lifestyle. Higher New York Heart Association classification and lower self-efficacy are associated with less daily physical activity. These findings contribute to the understanding of daily physical activity behavior of HF patients and can help healthcare providers to promote daily physical activity in sedentary HF patients.
authors: Manon L. Dontje, MSc PhD Student, Professorship in Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, and Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Martje H. L. van der Wal, PhD, RN Researcher and HF Nurse, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Ronald P. Stolk, MD, PhD Professor, Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Johan Brügemann, MD, PhD Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Tiny Jaarsma, PhD, RN Professor, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköpings Universitet, Norrköping, Sweden. Petra E. P. J. Wijtvliet, MSc PhD Student, Department of Cardiology, Martini Hospital Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Cees P. van der Schans, PhD, PT, CE Professor, Professorship in Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, the Netherlands. Mathieu H. G. de Greef, PhD Researcher and Professor, Institute of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, and Professor in Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors: Manon L
authors: ML
authors: Dontje
authors: Martje H L
authors: MH
authors: van der Wal
authors: Ronald P
authors: RP
authors: Stolk
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Brügemann
authors: Tiny
authors: T
authors: Jaarsma
authors: Petra E P J
authors: PE
authors: Wijtvliet
authors: Cees P
authors: CP
authors: van der Schans
authors: Mathieu H G
authors: MH
authors: de Greef
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D015438:Health Behavior; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009043:Motor Activity; D010809:Physical Fitness; D020377:Self Efficacy