The motivation for physical activity is a predictor of VO2peak and is a useful parameter when determining the need for cardiac rehabilitation in an elderly cardiac population

BACKGROUND: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an essential contributor to a successful recovery for elderly cardiac patients. The motivation for physical activity is a psychological parameter seldom described in secondary prevention, and it is plausible that motivation contributes to the differential effect of CR.

PURPOSE: To investigate if motivation, measured using the behavioural regulation in an exercise questionnaire (BREQ-2), predicts VO2peak in elderly cardiac patients before and after CR.

METHODS: A prospective cohort study of elderly ischemic cardiac patients and patients with valvular disease participating in cardiac rehabilitation was used. Motivation was measured using BREQ-2, which measures five constructs of motivation and a summed score-the relative autonomy index (RAI). VO2peak was measured before and after CR using a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).

RESULTS: Two hundred and three patients performed the baseline tests and initiated CR. One hundred and eighty-two completed CR and comprised the follow-up group. The mean VO2peak was 18 ml/kg/min (SD±5.1). VO2peak increased significantly with increasing motivation, 1.02 (.41-1.62) ml/kg/min pr. SD. Mean improvement from CR was 2.3 ml/kg/min (SD±4.3), the equivalent of a 12% increase. A change in VO2peak after CR was likewise positively associated with increased motivation, .74 (.31-1.17) pr. SD.

CONCLUSION: The level of motivation predicts VO2peak before CR, and is also able to predict changes in VO2peak following CR. Motivation measured with the BREQ-2 questionnaire can be applied as a screening tool for elderly cardiac patients before they initiate CR to identify patients with need of specific attention.