Relationships between overall physical activity and step counts in able-bodied adults and stroke survivors in developing countries: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate how step counts relate to overall physical activity (PA) in able-bodied adults and stroke survivors in developing countries.

Materials and methods

Sixty able-bodied adults (mean age: 48.8 ± 11.7 years old) and 60 stroke survivors (mean age: 56.7 ± 10.4 years old) were recruited in Benin (West-Africa). Step counts were collected for 7 consecutive days using the Garmin Forerunner 15 activity tracker. Then, participants completed the adapted French version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-AF) to report their PA over the same period. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (ρ) were calculated between IPAQ-AF scores and the mean steps per day.

Results

Very high correlations were observed between IPAQ-AF total scores and step counts, in able-bodied adults (ρ = 0.94; p < 0.001), and in stroke survivors (ρ = 0.91; p < 0.001). IPAQ-AF leisure-time presented negligible correlation with step counts in able-bodied adults. No activity was reported in occupation and intense domains in stroke survivors.

Conclusion

There is a strong relationship between overall PA and step counts in able-bodied adults and stroke survivors in Benin. Step counts appear to be an indicator of PA levels in developing countries, suggesting walking as a potential exercise to improve PA levels in stroke survivors.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Step counts could serve as an indicator of physical activity levels in stroke survivors in developing countries.

• Walking may be suggested as exercise to improve physical activity levels in stroke survivors in developing countries.

• In Africa French speaking countries, the IPAQ-AF could be used to assess physical activity in stroke survivors and findings might guide programs to promote an active lifestyle as needed.

Keywords:

• Stroke management
• rehabilitation
• physical activity
• step counts
• developing countries

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Programme Canadien de Bourses de la Francophonie which supported the scholarship of Aristide S. HONADO.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.