Community- and home-based physical activity interventions achieved high participation rates (≥70%) and significantly increased physical activity levels at follow-up among women.
Do community- and home-based physical activity programs improve physical activity levels and address barriers to cardiac rehabilitation in women?
Community- and home-based physical activity programs address specific barriers to women's participation in cardiac rehabilitation through flexible, appealing, and socially engaging options.
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death in women. Despite the well-known benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, it remains underutilized, especially among women. Physical activity programs in the community, however, attract a large female population, suggesting that they overcome barriers to physical activity encountered by women. The characteristics of interventions that extend beyond the traditional cardiac rehabilitation model and promote physical activity merit examination. OBJECTIVES: This narrative review aimed to: (a) summarize women's barriers to attend cardiac rehabilitation; (b) examine the characteristics of community- and home-based physical activity or lifestyle coaching interventions; and (c) discuss which barriers may be addressed by these alternative programs. METHODS: Studies were included if they: (a) were published within the past 10 years; (b) included ≥70% women with a mean age ≥45 years; (c) implemented a community- or home-based physical activity intervention or a lifestyle education/behavioral coaching program; and (d) aimed to improve physical activity levels or physical function. RESULTS: Most interventions reported high (≥70%) participation rates and significant increases in physical activity levels at follow-up; some improved physical function and/or cardiovascular disease risk factors. Community- and home-based interventions address women's cardiac rehabilitation barriers by: implementing appealing modes of physical activity (e.g. dancing, group-walking, technology-based balance exercises); adapting the program to meet participants' needs; offering flexible options regarding timing and setting (e.g. closer to home, the workplace or faith-based institutions); and promoting social interactions. CONCLUSION: Cardiac rehabilitation can be enhanced by understanding the specific needs of women; novel elements such as program offerings, convenient settings and opportunities for socialization should be considered when designing cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Vidal‐Almela et al. (Fri,) conducted a review in Cardiovascular disease. Community- and home-based physical activity or lifestyle coaching interventions was evaluated on Physical activity levels or physical function. Community- and home-based physical activity interventions achieved high participation rates (≥70%) and significantly increased physical activity levels at follow-up among women.