Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Associated Factors in Recipients of Solid-Organ Transplantation.

Abstract

Short-term survival after solid-organ transplantation has substantially improved, and the focus has shifted to long-term survival, including the role of physical activity (PA). Knowledge about PA and sedentary time in recipients of solid-organ transplantation is limited, and identification of the levels and associated factors is necessary for intervention development. The objectives of this study were to investigate the level of PA and sedentary time in recipients of solid-organ transplantation and to identify factors associated with these behaviors. The design consisted of a cross-sectional survey. Questionnaires on PA level, sedentary time, and potential associated factors were used for recipients of solid-organ transplantation (kidney, liver, lung, and heart [N = 656]). Multiple regression analyses with a variable selection procedure were used. Fewer than 60% of the recipients fulfilled the PA guideline. Factors significantly associated with a lower level of PA included being a woman, younger age (nonlinear), not actively working or being retired, physical limitations, and low expectations and self-confidence. Factors significantly associated with less sedentary time included exercise self-efficacy and not actively working or being retired. Significantly associated with more sedentary time were a high education level, fear of negative effects, physical limitations, and the motivator "health and physical outcomes." The type of transplantation did not significantly influence either of the outcome measures. The design did not allow for causal inferences to be made. The studied associated factors were limited to individual and interpersonal factors. Self-reported measures of PA and sedentary time were used. In intervention development directed at increasing the level of PA and reducing sedentary time in recipients of solid-organ transplantation, attention should be paid to physical limitations, fear of negative effects, low expectations and self-confidence, health and physical outcomes, and exercise self-efficacy.