Abstract Objective This study aimed to explore the latent categories of perceived exercise behavior in stroke patients and examine their association with physical activity levels. Methods A convenience sample of 299 stroke patients from a tertiary hospital in Henan Province (February-May 2023) was assessed using a general information questionnaire, the Perceived Benefits and Barriers to Exercise Scale, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Latent profile analysis identified distinct categories of perceived exercise behavior and ordered logistic regression analyzed the impact of these categories and demographic factors on physical activity levels. Results Perceived exercise behavior was categorized into three groups: high perceived barriers but satisfaction with the exercise environment (10.6%), moderate perceived benefits but concerns about time consumption (48.6%), and high perceived benefits but worries about social interaction (40.8%). A positive correlation was found between perceived exercise behavior and physical activity levels. Age and perceived exercise behavior category significantly influenced physical activity (both P < 0.05). Conclusion Stroke patients' perceived exercise behavior falls into three latent categories and serves as a modifiable factor affecting physical activity. Future interventions should tailor cognitive-behavioral strategies based on these categories to enhance patients' physical activity levels.
Gao et al. (Sun,) studied this question.