Abstract
Background Besides the important beneficial effects of regular physical activity on general health, some of the musculoskeletal effects of physical activity are of particular interest for older adults after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, research on physical activity behavior of patients after THA is scarce.
Objective The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the physical activity behavior and fulfillment of guidelines for health-enhancing physical activity of patients 1 year after THA.
Design This was a prospective multicenter cohort study.
Methods To determine level of physical activity, 653 participants (response rate=77%) completed the Short QUestionnaire to ASsess Health-enhancing physical activity (SQUASH). Comparisons were made between participants in 2 age groups (≤75 and >75 years). Determinants of physical activity behavior were assessed.
Results The participants were physically active a mean of 1,468 minutes per week. Most time was spent in household and leisure activities. Younger participants were physically more active than older participants. A lower body mass index was predictive of a higher level of physical activity. Participants adhered to the guidelines of health-enhancing physical activity in 67% of cases. The guidelines were met more often by younger participants, male participants, and those without problems in the lower extremities.
Limitations A nonresponse analysis was not conducted; thus, there might have been a selection bias. Use of a self-administered recall questionnaire to assess physical activity behavior may have been subject to memory and recall skill limitations of the participants, and patients tend to overestimate their physical activity level.
Conclusions This study gives detailed insight into the physical activity of patients 1 year after primary THA. As among the general population, a considerable number of patients were found to be insufficiently physically active.
Footnotes
Dr Wagenmakers, Dr Stevens, and Dr van den Akker-Scheek provided concept/idea/research design. Dr Wagenmakers, Dr Stevens, Dr Groothoff, Dr Bulstra, and Dr van den Akker-Scheek provided writing. Dr Wagenmakers and Dr van den Akker-Scheek provided data collection. Dr Wagenmakers, Dr Stevens, Dr Zijlstra, and Dr van den Akker-Scheek provided data analysis. Dr Stevens, Dr Groothoff, Dr Zijlstra, Dr Bulstra, and Dr van den Akker-Scheek provided project management. Dr van Beveren and Dr van Raaij provided participants. Dr Bulstra, Dr van Beveren, and Dr van Raaij provided facilities/equipment. Dr Stevens, Dr Groothoff, Dr Zijlstra, Dr Bulstra, Dr van Beveren, and Dr van Raaij provided consultation (including review of manuscript before submission).
This study was supported by a grant from University Medical Center Groningen.
- Received April 26, 2010.
- Accepted November 3, 2010.
