Barriers and Levels of Physical Activity in Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease Patients: Comparison Between Women and Men.

This cross-sectional study compared physical activity levels and barriers between 212 men and women with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). Physical activity was objectively measured by an accelerometer. Barriers to physical activity were obtained using a validated questionnaire. Women reported higher amounts of light physical activity (P<0.001) and lower moderate to vigorous physical activity (P<0.001) than men. Women more often reported barriers such as "not having anyone to accompany" (P=0.006), "lack of money" (P=0.018), "fear of falling or worsening the disease" (P=0.010), "lack of security" (P=0.015), "not having places to sit when feeling leg pain" (P=0.021), and "difficulty in getting to a place to practice physical activity" (P=0.015). In conclusion, women with symptomatic PAD presented with lower amounts of moderate to vigorous activity and more barriers to activity than men. Strategies to minimize the barriers, including group actives and non-painful exercises are recommended for women with PAD.