Objective:
Guidelines encourage patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity. We examined the sociodemographic, geriatric, and clinical factors associated with engagement in moderate-intensity physical activity among older adults with AF.
Methods:
Patients aged 65 years and older, diagnosed with AF, and having a CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc ≥ 2 were recruited from multiple clinics in Massachusetts and Georgia between 2015 and 2018. We utilized The Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity questionnaire to assess whether participants reported being engaged in moderate physical exercise. We examined the association between sociodemographic, clinical, geriatric elements and engaging in moderate-intensity physical activity using multiple logistic regression modelling.
Results:
The mean age of participants was 76 years and 52% were men. Approximately one-half (52%) of participants met the recommended levels of physical activity. Participants who were cognitively impaired (adjusted OR [aOR]=0.74; 95% CI= 0.56-0.97
)
, morbidly obese (aOR= 0.40; 95% CI= 0.22-0.72), socially isolated (aOR= 0.58; 95% CI= 0.40-0.84), and had a slow gait speed (aOR= 0.44; 95% CI= 0.32-0.60) were less likely, while those with higher AF related quality of life score (aOR=1.66; 95% CI=1.26-2.18) more likely, to engage in moderate physical activity.
Conclusions:
A considerable proportion of older adults with AF did not engage in moderate physical activity. Cognitive impairment, morbid obesity, social isolation, and slow gait speed were associated with not engaging in moderate exercise. Health care providers should identify patients with AF who are sedentary, promote engagement, and tailor interventions to address obstacles in engagement in physical activity.
The association between light intensity physical activity with gait speed in older adults (≥ 50 years). A longitudinal analysis using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)
