Patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior and their associated factors among nondisabled stroke survivors

To investigate the levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior, and the factors associated with these, in middle-aged and elderly stroke survivors who had no limitations to their physical activity.

We analyzed physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns using data from 12,986 community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years without activity limitation: 377 stroke survivors, 531 ischemic heart disease (IHD) survivors, and 12,078 healthy controls in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The prevalence and associated factors of compliance to aerobic activity guidelines and prolonged sedentary time were investigated using complex-sample statistics.

Stroke survivors spent less time in transport-related activities and walking than healthy controls. Stroke survivors, despite having no restriction in daily and social activities, had lower rates of compliance with aerobic activity guidelines (32.4%) and a higher prevalence of long sedentary time (56.6%) than IHD survivors (aerobic activity, 36.3%; sedentary behavior, 55.1%) and healthy controls (aerobic activity, 42.4%; sedentary behavior, 46.2%). Stroke survivors with hypertension were less likely to engage in recommended aerobic activity. Higher levels of education were positively associated with both aerobic activity compliance and long sedentary time. Although older age was associated with long sedentary time, stroke survivors with hypercholesterolemia and those who were married and living with their spouses were less likely to have a long sedentary time.

Nondisabled stroke survivors tended to spend less time in aerobic activity and more time in sedentary behavior than IHD survivors and healthy controls, and environmental factors had a considerable impact on their levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior.