Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Jul 1;44(4):280-288.
doi: 10.1097/HCR.0000000000000867. Epub 2024 Jun 6.

Sex Differences in Physical Activity Levels and Sitting Time in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Isabela R Marçal  1 , Sol Vidal-Almela, Christopher Blanchard, Stephanie A Prince, Kimberley L Way, Jennifer L Reed
Affiliations

Sex Differences in Physical Activity Levels and Sitting Time in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Isabela R Marçal et al. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. .

Abstract

Purpose: While research demonstrates low levels of physical activity (PA) among adults living with atrial fibrillation (AF), there is limited evidence investigating sex differences in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time in this population. The primary aim was to examine sex differences in MVPA levels and sitting time between women and men with AF. Secondary aims explored sex differences in sociodemographic factors, outcome expectations, and task self-efficacy toward PA levels.

Methods: This was a subanalysis of the CHAMPLAIN-AF cohort study. Women and men with AF completed a survey, including the Short-Form International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results: A total of 210 women (median = 66.0 yr: 95% CI, 63.5-68.0) and 409 men (median = 66.0 yr: 95% CI, 64.0-67.0) were included. No sex differences were observed in median weekly MVPA (60 min/wk: 95% CI, 0-120 in women vs 120 min/wk: 95% CI, 85-150 in men) and daily sitting time (5.5 hr/d: 95% CI, 5.0-6.0 in women vs 6.0 hr/d: 95% CI, 5.0-6.0 in men). Women engaged in significantly less vigorous-intensity PA than men ( P = .03) and demonstrated significantly lower task self-efficacy ( P < .01). Significant positive correlations in PA levels with outcome expectations (mostly weak) and task self-efficacy (mostly strong) were observed in both sexes.

Conclusion: Most women and men with AF did not meet the global MVPA guidelines but met the sitting time recommendation. Women presented with lower vigorous-intensity physical activity levels and confidence than men. Strategies to increase physical activity behavior, considering sociodemographic factors and task self-efficacy, are needed and may differ between sexes.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

    1. Dai H, Zhang Q, Abu Much A, et al. Global, regional, and national prevalence, incidence, mortality, and risk factors for atrial fibrillation, 1990-2017: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. 2021;7(6):574-582.
    1. Andrade JG, Aguilar M, Atzema C, et al. The 2020 Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society Comprehensive Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation. Can J Cardiol. 2020;36(12):1847-1948.
    1. Proietti M, Boriani G, Laroche C, et al. Self-reported physical activity and major adverse events in patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the EURObservational Research Programme Pilot Survey on atrial fibrillation (EORP-AF) general registry. Europace. 2017;19(4):535-543.
    1. Piccini JP, Simon DJN, Steinberg BA, et al. Differences in clinical and functional outcomes of atrial fibrillation in women and men: two-year results from the ORBIT-AF registry. JAMA Cardiol. 2016;1(3):282-291.
    1. Wagner MK, Zwisler ADO, Risom SS, Svendsen JH, Christensen AV, Berg SK. Sex differences in health status and rehabilitation outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with ablation: results from the CopenHeartRFA trial. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2018;17(2):123-135.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources