title: Exercise trajectories of women from entry to a 6-month cardiac rehabilitation program to one year after discharge.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical activity is associated with reduced mortality and morbidity. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an effective intervention for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Unfortunately, women are less likely to engage in, or sustain, regular physical activity. Objectives were to (1) describe women's guidelines-based levels of physical activity during and after CR and (2) determine the physical activity trajectories of women from entry to CR to one year after CR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A prospective, longitudinal study of 203 women with CVD enrolled in a 6-month CR program. Physical activity was measured using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (LSI), focusing on moderate-strenuous activity. Data were analyzed using latent class growth analysis (LCGA) and logistic regression. Mean scores on the LSI showed women to be "active" at all follow-up points. LCGA revealed a two-class model, respectively, called "inactive relapsers" and "moderately active relapsers." Predictors of the "moderately active relapsers" class were employment status and diagnosis of myocardial infarction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women achieved the recommended physical activity levels by the end of CR and sustained them until one year after CR. LCGA allowed us to determine the class trajectories associated with moderate-strenuous activity and, from these, to identify implications for targeted intervention.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8N 3Z5 ; Hamilton Health Sciences, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8L 2X2.
authors.forename: Heather M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blanchard
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gunn
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kodis
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Toner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies