Gender, activity participation, education levels, and depressive symptoms predict activity participation levels at post-cardiac rehabilitation

BACKGROUND: Little is known about predictors of activity participation that are objectively measured in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) graduates. This prospective observational study aimed to determine the predictors of objectively measured activity participation among adults with chronic cardiac conditions who have completed Phase II CR. METHODS: Twenty-five adults with chronic cardiac conditions graduating from traditional CR program participated in the study. The outcome variable was an activity participation level measured by light-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (LVPA) minutes using ActiGraph GT9X Link accelerometer after CR discharge. Covariates were collected at the discharge from CR, and outcome variables were collected at 1 month, 3 months, and 9 months post CR discharge. RESULTS: Gender, standardized LVPA at CR discharge, body mass index, and motivation for physical activity and leisure were significantly associated with the activity participation levels at 1 month, 3 months, and/or 9 months post CR discharge. Gender, standardized LVPA at CR discharge, highest education completed, and depressive symptoms significantly predicted the activity participation levels at 1 month (R2  = 0.69, p <  0.001), 3 months (R2  = 0.65, p <  0.001), and/or 9 months (R2  = 0.80, p <  0.001) post CR discharge. Female CR participants who were more active, had more than high school education, and showed more depressive symptoms at CR discharge were more likely to be active post CR. CONCLUSIONS: CR participants may benefit from individualized approach to plan their days post CR and application-focused and education-level sensitive sessions to understand the importance of activity participation maintenance post CR.