Objectively measured physical activity was not associated with neighborhood walkability attributes in community-dwelling patients with stroke

Abstract

Although the built environment may affect physical activity, there is little evidence on how neighborhood walkability attributes influence post-stroke physical activity. This study aimed to explore associations between objectively measured physical activity and neighborhood walkability attributes in community-dwelling patients with stroke. This cross-sectional study recruited patients who could ambulate outside free of assistance. We assessed objectively measured physical activity comprising the number of steps taken and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with an accelerometer. Neighborhood walkability attributes were evaluated using the Walk Score. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine whether the Walk Score was independently associated with the number of steps taken or MVPA. Eighty participants with a mean age of 65.9 ± 11.1 years were included. The participants took an average of 5900.6 ± 2947.3 steps/day and spent an average of 19.7 ± 21.7 min/day in MVPA. The mean Walk Score was 71.4 ± 17.2. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that no significant associations were found between the Walk Score and the number of steps taken or MVPA. No associations were found between objectively measured physical activity and neighborhood walkability attributes in community-dwelling patients with stroke in an Asian area.