Physical Activity Measurement Using Accelerometer in Phase-I Cardiac Rehabilitation

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is important in improving cardiovascular fitness. Estimating physical activity (PA) levels and Energy Expenditure(EE) in Phase-I CR using Accelerometer can help in understanding cardiovascular fitness better.

Method and Materials: PA of 16 participants post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) in Phase-I CR was measured using Actigraph accelerometer. Metabolic Equivalents (METs) and average of daily EE(in Kcals) and steps taken were calculated. Correlation of the Six minute walk distance (6MWD) on the day of discharge and PA levels measured by Actigraphaccelerometer was done.

Results: PA energy expenditure averaged 283.71 Kcals/3days, step counts/day 4861.50, METs 5.79 and the EE in light and moderate intensity activities were 1.01 Kcals and 5.72 Kcals respectively. The time spent in these activities were 62.25 minutes in light intensity and 2 minutes in moderate intensity activities.

Conclusion: PA measured by Actigraph accelerometer was of low to moderate levels in Phase-I CR. There was a weak correlation between PA levels measured by Actigraph accelerometer and 6MWD achieved at the time of discharge.