Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior profiles in individuals with heart failure: comparison with healthy subjects and determinant factors

Objective: Quantify the extent of inactivity and sedentarism in HF in comparison with matched controls; and explore the determinants of variables of inactivity and sedentarism in these individuals. Method: Individuals with HF and matched controls had their physical activity (PA) in daily life cross-sectionally monitored for one week using an activity monitor. Steps/ day, sedentary time/day (ST/day) and time spent/day in light PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were recorded. Functional capacity, symptoms, quality of life and anthropometric data were evaluated as potential determinant factors of PA in daily life in HF. Result: Individuals with HF (n=44) presented lower time/day in MVPA and steps/ day than controls (n=30) (60% and 33% lower, respectively). Further, individuals with HF were even more inactive on weekends than weekdays (MVPA: (6[3-12] vs. 9[4-21]min/day, P=0.005; step count: 4055±2228 vs. 4550±2366 steps/day, P=0.02). Regression models indicated functional capacity as the sole determinant of time spent/day in MVPA (r2=0.23) and one of the determinants of steps/day together with age and body mass index (r2=0.52). Depression symptoms and exertional dyspnea were determinants of ST/day (r2=0.32) and time spent/day in light PA (r2=0.21). Conclusion: Individuals with HF are 60% less active than healthy individuals, and even more markedly on weekends. Functional capacity was the main determinant of variation in steps/day and time spent/day in MVPA, whereas exertional dyspnea and depression symptoms helped explaining variation in ST/day and time spent/ day in light PA.