Physical activity guidelines: is the message getting through to adults with rheumatic conditions?
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the awareness and self-report knowledge of physical activity (PA) guidelines among adults with rheumatic conditions and evaluates rates of adherence to PA recommendations. Secondary aims include (i) investigating perceived benefits and barriers to exercise and (ii) exploring correlates associated with PA.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study involved adults attending an outpatient rheumatology clinic completing a questionnaire. Closed- and open-ended questions enquired about awareness and knowledge of PA guidelines, and a single-item self-report measure of PA was included. Perceptions of exercise were assessed using the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale. Descriptive statistics described participant characteristics and age-adjusted bivariate analyses explored associations between socio-demographic and condition-related factors and PA.


RESULTS
A total of 401 adults (134 males, 267 females) completed the questionnaire. Only 17.6% of respondents were aware of national PA guidelines and 17.4% accurately identified the frequency and duration of the recommendations. A quarter of respondents (26.7%) reported adherence to the guidelines, while 30.5% reported no weekly PA. Higher perceived benefits and lower perceived barriers to exercise were positively associated with PA behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
A large majority of respondents were not aware of PA guidelines and self-report knowledge of PA recommendations was largely inaccurate. Despite the role of PA in health promotion and in the management of rheumatic conditions, adherence to PA recommendations was low. Level of education, perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, and awareness and self-report knowledge of PA guidelines are associated with PA behaviour.
School of Medicine, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Trinity College, Dublin, Department of Rheumatology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland and School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK. odwyertk@tcd.ie.
Tom
T
O'Dwyer
School of Medicine, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Trinity College, Dublin, Department of Rheumatology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland and School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK.
Tony
T
Rafferty
School of Medicine, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Trinity College, Dublin, Department of Rheumatology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland and School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK.
Finbar
F
O'Shea
School of Medicine, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Trinity College, Dublin, Department of Rheumatology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland and School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK.
Conor
C
Gissane
School of Medicine, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Trinity College, Dublin, Department of Rheumatology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland and School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK.
Fiona
F
Wilson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
adherence; barriers; exercise; health promotion; patient education; physical activity; rheumatology