A Habit-Forming Exercise Approach Promotes Positive Exercise Beliefs and Behaviours: A Survey of People After Stroke

LiFE is a habit-forming functional exercise program that is not widely used in stroke but could facilitate exercise and support long-term physical activity. The purpose of this study was to determine, in people after stroke participating in the Falls After Stroke Trial: (1) exercise beliefs and behaviours, (2) differences between LiFE and usual care participants and (3) in LiFE participants, perceptions of the program.

Participants (n = 49) were consecutively invited to complete a 43-item survey about exercise beliefs and behaviours. LiFE participants also provided program feedback. Data were analysed using descriptive and frequency analyses, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Fisher's exact tests and content analyses.

Thirty-eight complete surveys (n = 22 LiFE, n = 16 usual care) were analysed. Participants had moderately strong outcome expectations for exercise and reported a mean (SD) of 2 (2) barriers and 2 (1) facilitators to exercise. Only 15 participants (39%) reported meeting Australian physical activity guidelines, of which most (67%) received LiFE. More LiFE than usual care participants were confident in overcoming barriers to exercise (62% vs. 33%, p = 0.18) and satisfied with their reported physical activity levels (50% vs. 37%, p = 0.41). Most LiFE participants (95%) agreed that the program made it easier for them to be more physically active and all agreed that they would continue with the program.

People after stroke in both the LiFE and usual care groups had positive views of exercise; however, most reported that they were not completing recommended physical activity levels. There appeared to be some differences in exercise beliefs and behaviours between LiFE and usual care participants, though these were not statistically significant. LiFE participants provided positive feedback about the program and reported that it could help them to engage in physical activity behaviours.