Prevalence and Correlates of Accelerometer-Based Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Among Kidney Transplant Recipients

Background: Physical activity is recommended for kidney transplant recipents as it may improve outcomes including mortality, exercise capacity, muscle strength, and health-related quality of life. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine accelerometer-based physical activity and sedentary time profiles among kidney transplant recipients and examine possible demographic and clinical correlates of physical activity and sedentary time. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Patients: Kidney transplant recipients were recruited (N = 1,284) from the Northern Alberta Renal Program’s Nephrology Information System database (1993-2016). Measurements: Participants wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer on their hip during waking hours for seven consecutive days. Methods: Kidney transplant recipients (1993-2016) recruited from the Northern Alberta Renal Program’s Nephrology Information System database wore an accelerometer and completed a self-reported questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was used to determine associations between activity level, demographic, and clinical characteristics. Results: Participants’ (n = 133; 11% response rate) mean age (SD) was 58 (14) years and 56% were female. Mean total sedentary time was 9.4 (1.4) hours per day; total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time was 20.7 (19.6) minutes per day. MVPA was significantly associated with age where each additional year was associated with 0.48 fewer min/day (ie, ~30 seconds) (unstandardized beta: B = −0.48 min/day, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: −0.75, −0.22). Sedentary time was significantly associated with age (B = 1.0 min/day, 95% CI: 0.03, 1.9), body mass index (B = 2.7 min/day, 95% CI: 0.2, 5.13), education (B = 39.1 min/day, 95% CI: 12.3, −65.8), and inversely associated with income (B = −44.9 min/day, 95% CI: −73.1, −16.8). Limitations: Limitations include the cross-sectional design, poor response rate, and limited generalizability of the results. Conclusions: Kidney transplant recipients showed high volumes of sedentary time and low volumes of health-enhancing physical activity. Understanding correlates of these behaviors may aid in the development of interventions to favorably change these behaviors.