Many leading exercise theorists recommend Stages of Change in Exercise Adherence, (SOC) to better understand exercise adherence behavior. However, the SOC has primarily been used among the population of healthy adults. The purpose of this study was to compare SOC among older Caucasian and African American (AA) cardiac clients. Recently discharged inpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participants, age 65 years or older and ambulatory, were randomly selected to participate in a computer assisted telephone interview regarding their exercise behaviors and attitudes. To increase the number of AA subjects, all potential AA were asked to participate in this study. Approximately 70 subjects in each of five stages of exercise adherence were interviewed (N=353). Half of the AA clients were in a non-exercising SOC (Precontemplation or Contemplation) following a cardiac event, while 31.8% of Caucasians were in a non-exercising SOC. Only 25% of AA clients had participated in outpatient CR, while 47% of Caucasian clients had participated in outpatient CR following a cardiac event and hospitalization. African American clients were more likely to describe their health as poor (12.5% vs 4.6%) or fair (37.5% vs 28.1%) than were Caucasian clients. Prior to their hospitalization, 62.6% of AA were in non-exercising stages of exercise adherence, compared with 44.8% of Caucasian clients. Conclusions were that older AA cardiac clients were less likely to be exercising before or after their cardiac event, have participated in outpatient CR, and more likely to describe their health as poor or fair.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. Identify differences in Stage of Change in Exercise Adherence between older Caucasian and African American cardiac clients following a cardiac event. 2. Describe implications for cardiac rehabilitation and other community exercise programs to promote equal access for potential older African American and Caucasian participants.
Keywords: Exercise, Behavioral Research
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