Mediators and readiness to exercise in patients at risk of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease

To inform future walking interventions, we sought to identify exercise mediators that are associated with readiness to exercise in persons with either asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or disease risk factors. We enrolled participants excluded from a larger behavioral intervention trial for persons with diabetes mellitus and PAD. Participants completed surveys assessing exercise mediators and stage of readiness to exercise (precontemplation, contemplation, or action). Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests. Participants in the stage of action substituted physical activity as an alternative, rewarded themselves, and committed themselves more than other participants (P < .01). Action participants perceived more benefits to exercise than precontemplation participants (P < .05). Contemplation and action participants had higher outcome expectations for exercise, and action participants received more enjoyment from physical activity than precontemplation participants (P < .05 and P = .05, respectively). Identifying these mediators is important for future exercise interventions and treatments.