ASSESSMENT OF SATISFACTION WITH PHYSICAL FITNESS IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS 38

Abstract

Although physical fitness is commonly measured using performance-based or clinical tests, the individual's level of satisfaction with physical fitness is rarely assessed. The level of satisfaction with physical fitness may be a major factor in the receptiveness to and adherence to exercise interventions and has possible implications for developing motivational strategies. We developed a 5 item scale of self-rated satisfaction with physical fitness(FITSAT), defined in terms of overall fitness, endurance and stamina, muscle strength, muscle tone, and level of energy. Objective measures of physical fitness were VO2peak measured during symptom-limited treadmill testing, quadriceps peak torque using isokinetic testing, body fat percentage (% fat) using DXA and body weight (BW). The self-reported scale and objective measures were made on 60 kidney transplant recipients at 6 weeks post transplant and again at 6 months post transplant. Average age was 40.7±11.5 years(range 18 - 67), with 41.2% female and 57.3% non-caucasian. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the FITSAT scale and the fitness measures. Regression analysis was used to identify determinants of satisfaction with fitness, adjusted for age and sex. The internal consistency reliability of the self-report scale was 0.914. Signficant correlations were found at both 6 weeks and 6 months between the FITSAT scale and% fat (r=-0.46, p=.018 and r=-0.53, p=.003), and between the FITSAT scale and BW (r=-0.33, p=.019 and r=-0.36, p=.01), but not with VO2peak or muscle strength measures. At 6 weeks, the objective measures of physical fitness predicted 22% of the variance in the FITSAT scale, with% fat and BW being the primary predictors. At 6 months, only% fat predicted FITSAT (R2=-.32, p=.004). This data suggests that satisfaction with physical fitness is not determined by actual measures of physical functioning, but with body fat and/or weight. Further study is warranted to determine how this relationship affects adherence to and motivation for rehabilitation programs.