Physical activity maintenance in elders with cardiac problems

Clinicians who work with elderly people after acute cardiac events need strategies to facilitate the continuance of physical activity learned in cardiac rehabilitation programs. This exploratory study examined three factors related to this maintenance in 31 men and women: self-efficacy, stages of change, and social support for exercise. Self-efficacy was significantly correlated to stages of change and physical activity. Clinicians can use these factors to develop strategies to enhance the maintenance of exercise in elders with cardiac problems.