Learning Objective #1: Discuss motivational, social and contextual, and demographic variables through which physical activity may be maintained following cardiac rehabilitation

Learning Objective #2: Discuss the implications of study findings for theory-based intervention to enhance maintenance of physical activity following cardiac rehabilitation

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Little is known about the mechanisms through which physical activity (PA) is maintained following cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The research purpose was to examine differences in motivational, contextual and social influence, and demographic variables for PA maintenance among patients who completed a Phase II CR program 6 months previously. The research is based on the wellness motivation theory (Fleury, 1991, 1996), which conceptualizes behavioral change as a process of intention formation and goal-directed activity guiding positive health patterns. Subjects were classified according to whether they (a) met American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommendations for weekly PA (> 150 minutes), or (b) did not meet ACSM recommendations (< 150 minutes). Data was available on 151 subjects (73.5% male, 94.7% Caucasian, mean education 15.84 years (SD = 3.2), average number of comorbid conditions 1.94 (SD = 1.03)). PA was measured characterizing type, frequency, and duration (Singleton et al., 1994). Motivational variables included the self-knowledge measure Possible Selves Questionnaire (Cross & Markus, 1991); the motivation appraisal measure Index of Readiness (Fleury, 1994), and the self-regulation measure Index of Self-regulation (Fleury, 1996). Contextual and social influence variables included Perceived Resources and Social Support (Sallis, 1987). Demographic variables included age, gender, education, and comorbid conditions. Differences between those who met ACSM recommendations and those who did not were assessed using T-tests. Subjects were significantly more likely to meet ACSM recommendations with higher levels of hoped for self-knowledge (P = .04), reconditioning as a self-regulation strategy (P = .04), perceived time available for PA (P = .001), perceived support of family (P = .04) and friends (P = .004), and higher levels of education (P = .02). PA maintenance depended upon a combination of motivational, social and contextual, and demographic variables. Data provide a guide for theory-based interventions to enhance maintenance of PA following CR.