Background and purpose: Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to be effective in people with chronic heart failure (CHF), particularly in terms of exercise capacity. However, no effects have been found on the level of movement-related everyday activity. Therefore, rehabilitation programs also should focus on enhancing the level of movement-related everyday activity. The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with the level of movement-related everyday activity and with quality of life in people with CHF.
Subjects and methods: Measurements of movement-related everyday activity (using an accelerometry-based Activity Monitor), quality of life, and associated factors were performed in 36 people with stable CHF (New York Heart Association classes II and III).
Results: Knee flexion and extension torque, and particularly extension torque, were significantly associated with movement-related everyday activity (r = .43-.49, P < .05), whereas nonphysiological factors such as feelings of being disabled were associated with quality of life (r = .37-.77, P < or = .01, P < .05). No relationship was found between movement-related everyday activity and quality of life (r = .20-.22, P > .05).
Discussion and conclusion: The results indicate that knee torque is associated with the level of movement-related everyday activity in people with CHF and that quality of life is mediated by nonphysiological factors.