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Fast walking speed and self-efficacy are associated with physical activity in chronic stroke survivors: a
Marina Makhoul1, Janaine Cunha Polese2, Vitoria Leite Domingues3
1Physiotherapy, Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Salvador, Brazil.
Introduction:
Low levels of physical activity (PA) are commonly reported among stroke survivors; however, the physical and psychological factors associated with these low levels remain inconclusive, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Purpose:
To identify how modifiable physical and psychological factors are associated with both objectively measured and self-reported physical activity in individuals with chronic stroke living in community-dwelling in a middle-income country.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 60 individuals with chronic stroke living in a middle-income country. Physical activity was assessed using objective (low-cost smartphone app- step count) and self-reported measures (Adjusted Activity Score of the Human Activity Profile). Physical variables included functional mobility, aerobic capacity, and fast walking speed, while psychosocial variables included depression and self-efficacy. Pearson's correlation and stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed to examine associations with physical activity.
Results:
The sample had a mean age of 54.5 years (±13.8), and most participants had an ischemic stroke (75%). Participants accumulated a mean of 4048 (±2,982.9) steps/day, and the mean Human Activity Profile score was 57.5 (±15.1). Functional mobility, aerobic capacity, fast walking speed, and self-efficacy were associated with objectively measured physical activity. In regression analyses, fast walking speed explained 46% of the variance in objective physical activity. For self-reported physical activity, all physical and psychosocial factors were associated, with fast walking speed explaining 28% and the combination of fast walking speed and self-efficacy explaining 33% of the variance.
Conclusion:
In regression analyses, fast walking speed was the main factor associated with objectively measured physical activity, while fast walking speed and self-efficacy were associated with self-reported physical activity in individuals with chronic stroke living in a middle-income country.
