EFFECT OF AN EXERCISE CONSULTATION ON MAINTENANCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AFTER COMPLETION OF PHASE III EXERCISE- BASED CARDIAC REHABILITATION by

There are many benefits associated with participation in cardiac rehabilitation exercise programmes following MI, CABG and PTCA. Sustaining these benefits requires maintenance of physical activity in the long-term. Evidence suggests that improvements in physical activity decline following completion of formal exercise programmes. The research is limited on interventions to improve maintenance of physical activity after completion of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. Exercise consultation is based on established behaviour change theories and uses strategies to promote and maintain physical activity. A pilot study found that exercise consultation improved short-term maintenance of physical activity following completion of a phase III exercise programme. However, the long-term effect of the exercise consultation has not been studied. Aims: The primary aim of this randomised-controlled trial was to evaluate the effect of an exercise consultation (experimental condition) compared with standard exercise information (contr91 condition) on maintenance of physical activity six and 12 months following completion of a phase III hospital-based exercise programme. Secondary aims included assessing the effect of an exercise consultation compared with exercise information on physiological and psychological variables at six and 12 months. Methods: Seventy cardiac patients were recruited on completion of a phase I II exerc,ise programme. The experimental group received an exercise consultation and exercise information at baseline and six months, and a support phone call at three and nine months. The control group received exercise information at baseline and six months, and a support phone call at 3 and 9 months to maintain equal contact time between the groups. Measurements recorded at baseline, six and 12 months were; physical activity (Stanford Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall, CSA accelerometer and Stage of Exercise Behaviour Change); cardiorespiratory fitness, processes of exercise behaviour change, lipid profile, anxiety and depression (HADS), quality of life (SF-36), mortality and morbidity. Results: At baseline, total activity measured by the 7 -Day Recall was 300 minutes/week in the experimental group and 275 minutes/week in the control group, thus both groups were meeting guidelines for regular physical activity. Total activity assessed by the 7 -Day Recall was maintaine~ in the experimental group compared to the control group from baseline to 12 months (98%CI -295, -20). Total activity did not significantly change from baseline to six (98%CI -43, 191) and 12 months (98%CI -63,