Article

There is little information on exercise behavior after completion of medically supervised exercise rehabilitation programs designed for cardiac patients. Questionnaires regarding patient's perceptions of exercise and the program and other health behaviors were returned by 85 of 100 solicited patients 12 months after entry into a six month supervised program, of whom 49 had graduated and 36 had dropped out. Stepwise discriminant function analysis revealed that a single factor, feedback from objective exercise testing, accounted for 49% of the variance in exercise behaviors between compliers and dropouts at six months. Twenty-four percent of the variance between those continuing regular exercise habits between six months and 12 months and those not exercising regularly was explained by a combination of improved health and more positive job perceptions. Seventy-two percent of the subjects (40 compliers, 18 dropouts) reported that they were still active for three or more hours per week 12 months after entry into the supervised program. The presence of any two of the following characteristics (1) nonsmoking, (2) white collar occupation, or (3) active leisure habits, at entry predicted compliance 76% of the time ; dropout was predictable 76% of the time when two or more of the following characteristics, (1) smoking, (2) blue collar work, or (3) inactive leisure habits, were present. This model predicted compliance and dropout at the same rate in the next 100 consecutive patients. Entry factors examined did not account for maintenance of exercise habits.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Identifiant basis : 1985002924