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A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Women's and men's exercise adherence after a cardiac event
Mary A Dolansky1, Beth Stepanczuk, Jacqueline M Charvat
1Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Mary.dolansky@case.edu
Age impacts exercise adherence post-cardiac event, with older men showing lower adherence than younger men. Overall, few patients maintained regular exercise, highlighting a need for better cardiac rehabilitation interventions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cardiac events necessitate lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, for recovery and secondary prevention.
- Exercise adherence is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health but can be challenging to maintain.
- Understanding age-related differences in exercise adherence is vital for tailoring cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of age on exercise adherence in men and women following a cardiac event.
- To compare exercise adherence rates across different age demographics in a post-cardiac event population.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of data from 248 adults (ages 38-86) who experienced a cardiac event.
- Exercise adherence (3 sessions/week) assessed using heart rate monitors.
- Comparison of adherence between sexes and three age groups ( <60, 61-70, >70), controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in exercise adherence were observed between age groups for women.
- Older men demonstrated lower exercise adherence compared to younger men, even after controlling for fitness, pain, comorbidity, self-efficacy, mood, and social support.
- Less than 37% of the total sample adhered to the prescribed exercise regimen after one year.
Conclusions:
- Age-related differences in exercise adherence exist, particularly in men, after a cardiac event.
- Current exercise adherence rates post-cardiac event are suboptimal across all age groups.
- Interventions are needed to improve and sustain long-term exercise adherence in cardiac patients.
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