Adherence to Physical Activity Recommendations Among Stroke Survivors in the United States

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is an effective modifiable behavior for preventing recurrent strokes. This study aims to determine the adherence to physical activity recommendations among stroke survivors in the United States. We further compared our findings with the adherence observed among myocardial infarction (MI) survivors and healthy adults, each assessed against distinct physical activity guidelines specific to their respective populations. METHODS: We utilized data from the 2011 to 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative survey. To establish benchmarks for stroke survivors, we referenced 3 different physical activity recommendations outlined in 2011, 2014, and 2021 American Heart Association stroke prevention guidelines. Similarly, for MI survivors and healthy adults, we used the 2011 guidelines for secondary prevention of coronary vascular diseases and the 2020 World Health Organization physical activity guidelines, respectively. Adherence to recommendations was determined by the respondents’ self-reported intensity, duration, and frequency of physical activity. Multivariate logistic regression compared adherence in stroke survivors, MI survivors, and healthy adults. RESULTS: Among 48 222 stroke survivors in the United States, the overall adherence rates to 2011, 2014, and 2021 physical activity guidelines were 75.4%, 40.2%, and 69.2%. For independently mobile stroke survivors, the adherence rates increased to 78.1%, 42.1%, and 69.9%. Among MI survivors and healthy adults, the adherence rates were 42.7% and 72%. When 2021 recommendations were used as a benchmark, older (aged ≥65 years) stroke survivors were more likely to adhere to recommendations than younger survivors (71.9% versus 62.3%; P <0.0001). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities, non-Hispanic Black survivors were less likely to adhere to recommendations (adjusted odds ratio, 0.81 95% CI, 0.7–0.94), whereas older and higher educated stroke survivors were more likely to adhere to recommendations. Geographically, stroke belt and nonrural residents were less likely to adhere to recommendations (63.5% versus 67.9%; P <0.0001; 53.8% versus 58.7%; P <0.0001). Stroke and MI survivors were less likely to adhere to the latest recommendations than healthy adults (adjusted odds ratio, 0.74 95% CI, 0.69–0.8; (adjusted odds ratio, 0.24 95% CI, 0.22–0.26). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of stroke survivors do not meet physical activity recommendations. Tailored interventions should be designed for at-risk populations, for example, non-Hispanic Black survivors and lower educated stroke survivors.