Physical activity practice during COVID-19 pandemic in patients with intermittent claudication

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe physical activity habits and barriers for physical activity practice in patients with peripheral artery disease and claudication symptoms during Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS:In this cross-sectional survey study, 127 patients with peripheral artery disease (59.8% men; 68±9 years old; and 81.9% had the peripheral artery disease diagnosis ≥5 years old) were included. The physical activity habits and barriers for physical activity practice were assessed through telephone interview using a questionnaire with questions related to: (a) COVID-19 personal care; (b) overall health;(c) physical activity habits; (d) for those who were inactive, the barriers for physical activity practice.RESULTS: Only 26.8% of patients reported practicing physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exercise characteristics more common among these patients include walking, performed at least 5 days a week, during 31-60 min at light intensity. In contrast, among physically inactive patients, pain, injury or disability (55%), the COVID-19 pandemic (50%), the need to rest due to leg pain (29%), and lack of energy (27%) were the most frequent barriers to physical activity practice. CONCLUSION:The physical activity level of patients with peripheral artery disease is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of physical activity on self-reported health parameters in peripheral artery disease in two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Social isolation, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in unintended consequences for the lifestyle and health of the population. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 In the current study, the percentage of patients who self-reported practicing physical activity was similar between the two periods during the COVID-19 pandemic (28.3% [n=28] vs. 23.2% [n=23], P>0.05, respectively). We have previously demonstrated that the main barriers to physical activity practice in patients with PAD during the COVID-19 pandemic include social isolation, pain, injury or disability, lack of energy, and the need to rest because of leg pain.…”

“…We have previously demonstrated that the main barriers to physical activity practice in patients with PAD during the COVID-19 pandemic include social isolation, pain, injury or disability, lack of energy, and the need to rest because of leg pain. 5 It is important to point out that physical activity has been recommended to minimize the impacts of social isolation on health during the COVID-19 pandemic. 14 , 15 , 16 …”

“…The impact of physical activity on longitudinal changes in the self-reported health of patients with PAD was assessed through a questionnaire, as previously described. 5 , 6 , 13 The questionnaire was composed of questions divided into domains: (a) overall health, (b) physical health, (c) mental health, and (d) physical activity. The questions used in the analysis are presented below.…”

“…A previous study 5 reported that 73% of patients with PAD self-reported not engaging in physical activity, and 77% reported spending more time sitting than before the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, many patients with PAD self-reported declining functional capacity and increasing mental health problems.…”

“… 1 , 2 The prolonged social isolation intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 may potentially affect the physical activity level and health of patients with PAD. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 …”