EVALUATION OF EXERCISE, OCCUPATIONAL AND LEISURE-TIME ACTIVITIES IN OUTPATIENT HEART CLINICS

Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity has been recognized as one of the main risk factors for coronary heart diseases. This study analyzed occupational, commuting, and leisure-time physical activity in outpatients who referred to heart clinics.<br />Methods: This is a descriptive study that evaluated 499 outpatients of heart clinics in 2003-2004. Occupational, commuting, and leisure-time physical activities were assessed based on questionnaire data, the validity and reliability of which had already been confirmed. The statistical package (SPSS) for Windows was used for statistical analysis.<br />Results: In this study, 59% of the individuals who were unemployed and retired had coronary artery disease. Also, 38% of the individuals who were spending leisure time in the sitting and sleeping positions had coronary disease and 23% of this group had hypertension. Moreover, 48% of the outpatients did not have proper morning exercise, and 98% of this group did not have informal exercise with supervision and also 67% did not have informal exercise. <br />Conclusion: According to this study, occupational, commuting, and leisure-time physical activities of outpatients in heart clinics were low. Thus, encouraging physical activities should be on the top of the public health programs priorities.