Accelerometer-Measured Daily Activity Levels and Related Factors in Patients With Heart Failure

Background: Few studies report objective accelerometer-measured daily physical activity levels in patients with heart failure (HF). Objective: We examined baseline accelerometer-measured physical activity from the Heart Failure Exercise and Resistance Training Camp trial, a federally funded (R01-HL112979) 18-month intervention study to promote adherence to exercise in patients with HF. Factors associated with physical activity levels were also explored. Methods: Patients with diagnosed HF (stage C chronic HF confirmed by echocardiography and clinical evaluation) were recruited from 2 urban medical centers. Physical activity energy expenditure and the number of minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were obtained from 7 full days of measurement with the accelerometer (Actigraph Model GT3X, Pensacola, Florida) for 182 subjects who met minimum valid wear time parameters. Additional measures of health-related factors were included to explore the association with physical activity levels. Results: Subjects had 10.2 +/- 10.5 minutes of MVPA per day. Total physical activity energy expenditure was 304 +/- 173 kcal on average per day. There were 23 individuals (12.6%) who met the recommended goal of 150 minutes of MVPA per week. Men, whites, New York Heart Association class II, and subjects with better physical function had significantly higher levels of activity. Conclusions: Consistent with previous research, patients with HF are not meeting recommended guidelines for 150 minutes of MVPA per week.