Sex Differences in Barriers and Participation in Physical Activity During and Following Cardiac Rehabilitation

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Cardiac Rehabilitation; Heart Disease

• Registration Number: NCT07214350
• Lead Sponsor: Duke University

Brief Summary

The SPARC study will measure physical activity and functional fitness during cardiac rehabilitation, right after completion of cardiac rehabilitation, and 6 months later. This will help investigators learn if men and women maintain physical activity levels and functional fitness differently during and after they complete cardiac rehabilitation. Participants in this study will have three in-person study visits and may complete two qualitative interviews over a 10-month study period. The greatest risks during the study include physical discomfort, falling, and/or shortness of breath during the fitness testing.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-10
• Study First Submitted: 2025-10-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-10-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-10-07
• Study First Posted: 2025-10-09
• Last Update Posted: 2025-10-09
• Study Start: 2025-12-01
• Primary Completion: 2029-12
• Study Completion: 2030-08-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 150

Inclusion Criteria

• Must be able to read and speak English well enough to provide informed consent and understand instructions
• Age > 18 years
• Enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation within the last month
• Of adequate clinical stability to allow study participation
• Own a smartphone or tablet for mobile application download

Exclusion Criteria

• Planned relocation during the study period out of the local area
• Planned medical procedure within the study period that may limit physical activity (i.e., joint replacement)
• End-stage kidney disease
• Impairment from stroke, injury, or other medical conditions that would prevent participation in or completion of the protocol
• Heart transplant
• Use of a left ventricular assist device
• Pregnant or intending to become pregnant during the study period
• Any other illness that, in the opinion of the study physician, would negatively impact or mitigate participation in or completion of the protocol

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Average Daily Step Count	Baseline, 3 months, 9 months	Calculated as an average of daily steps achieved over the previous week at each timepoint.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Average moderate-to-vigorous physical activity minutes per week	9 months	Self-reported moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity minutes per week using the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire.