Gender Differences In Physical Activity Measured With Accelerometer 6 Weeks After Exercise-based Cardiac Rehabilitation

Abstract

PURPOSE: to assess physical activity and sitting time in men and women with cardiovascular disease after completing 12 weeks of out-patient cardiac rehabilitation in two hospitals in Norway. METHODS: 80 participants (13 women, mean age 64,2 (±5,8), body mass index 26,9 (±5,9)/67 men, mean age 60,0 (±9,0), body mass index 26,1 (±3), were recruited 6 (±4) weeks after cardiac rehabilitation cessation. Physical activity was measured with an accelerometer (Sensewear Armband, Bodymedia), worn at least three weekdays and a weekend for reliable measurements. The participants were instructed to wear the accelerometer for 24 hours per day, and were only removed during showering or bathing. Daily average of total energy expenditure (TEE), active energy expenditure (AEE), sitting time, time spent in light PA (1,5-3 METs), moderate PA (3-6 METs) and vigorous PA (6-9 METs) were obtained. Sitting time was calculated as sedentary time minus time lying down. Independent T-test was used for analysis. RESULTS: The accelerometer was worn 6 (±1) days, 97 (±10) % of the time. Daily average TEE was 2945 (±496) Kcal and 2098 (±264) Kcal (p< 0.001), and AEE 1455 (±546) kcal and 817 (±288) kcal (p< 0.001), for men and women, respectively. Daily average time spent in light PA was 253 (±74) minutes and 240 (±110) minutes (p=0.677), moderate PA 113 (±59) minutes and 65 (±29) minutes (p< 0.001), vigorous PA 15 (±18) minutes and 5(±6) minutes (p=0.076), for men and women, respectively. Daily average sitting time was 8,8 (±1,9) hours for men and 10,0 (±2,1) hours for women (p=0.051). CONCLUSION: both men and women who had attended an exercise-based CR program met the recommended level of physical activity few weeks after cessation. Women were less physical active than men and spent more time sitting and should be encouraged to reduce sitting time.