Paper Example on Exercise for Health: Benefits of Physical Activity

Introduction

Engaging in physical activities has been confirmed to have positive benefits related to health in both healthy and non-healthy individuals. According to Moore (2006), the American College of Sports Medicine recommends that; for promotion and maintenance of health, all adults need to engage in moderate to intensity aerobic physical activity for a period not less than 30 minutes each week for five days or vigorous to intensity for twenty minutes at least three days a week (Moore et al., 2006). Physical inactivity has been linked to higher cardiovascular disease risks. After cardiac surgery; most patients go through sedentary behavior associated with mortality and postoperative complications such as pleural effusion and atelectasis (Moore et al., 2006). During cardiac surgery, patients suffer from impaired lung function postoperatively. Research has shown that there could be a relationship between health beliefs and ability to participate in exercise after cardiac surgery at 18 to 24 months (Moore et al., 2006). When a comparison is made between participation in 18 to 24 months and 6 to 8 months following a cardiac surgery, health beliefs of the two time limits will expand knowledge related to the ability to participate in exercise and health beliefs exercise after surgery, and will guide students in healthcare education on assisting and maintaining long term positive health behaviors. The hypothesis that there is a relationship between health beliefs and ability to participate in exercise will be measured on a five-point scale.

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Concept

Studies have suggested that there is a relationship between levels of physical activity and lung function in older people, healthy adults, and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The concepts of the Health Belief Model have been drawn from the social psychological theory of Kurt Lewin (Foster, 1995). According to Foster (1995), the point of view of an individual on the negative and positive effects determines the probability that behavior will occur. One concept from the theory is the aspiration level on attaining goals. When deciding an action to be taken between different levels of difficulty, the choice is made based on potential failure or success. The Health Belief Model individuals assume that these beliefs and attitudes will determine their health behaviors. People will only seek physical activity care if they view their current condition as life-threatening, if they lack knowledge about it, if individuals are generally concerned about the health and if they are convinced that the intervention is efficient. Following a cardiac event, preventive care includes; perceived seriousness, perceived benefits, general health motivation, modifying factors, and perceived susceptibility.

Construct

The self-efficacy concept is derived from two distinct expectations which influence character: the outcome expectation and the efficacy expectation. A person's view on their ability to perform a behavior is efficacy expectation, while outcome expectation refers to the notion that results may be derived through participation in a particular action. An individual needs enough confidence to alter some routines when working towards a modification of persistent habits such as; smoking, exercising, and eating. Health beliefs of physical activity are offered as a prediction and explanation of adherence to prescribed therapies, responses to treatment, and a description of healthy behaviors (Foster, 1995). For changes in behaviour to take place, cardiac surgery patients must take some incentive actions or feel threats towards their current health patterns and must believe that specific physical activity changes that will involve exercising at an acceptable cost will result to a valuable outcome.

Indicator

Ability to participate in physical activities such as swimming and dance depends on the adherence of the individual towards physical activity. This is the extent to which the individual's behavior will coincide with health or medical advice. In cardiac rehabilitation programs, the maximum benefit from the changes in lifestyle is attained through adherence to physical activities which are maintained for a long time. When comparing the association between adherence to cardiac exercise, self-efficacy and health beliefs, most patients out of surgery are found not to have a formal exercise immediately but walking at least three times a week (Foster, 1995). There are visible relationships between the type of surgery and physical activity, with perceived barriers having a negative association with activities. Patients who expect more benefits from the program usually encounter fewer barriers to participation in physical activities. If a cardiac patient notices the benefits of a cardiac exercise program while at the same time perceiving a few obstacles, they will have some adherence behaviors.

Variable

When a cross-sectional and descriptive design was utilized to look into the association between health beliefs, self-efficacy and ability to participate in exercise, data was obtained through the completion of instruments which measure compliance of individuals to exercise between 18 to 24 months after cardiac surgery (Foster, 1995). Various variables can also inhibit exercise participation, including the presence of worsening coronary heart disease. A demographic questionnaire on the ability to exercise by cardiac surgery patients included the comparison of the demographic aspects of individuals who participated in the study and those who did not participate. Demographic data were obtained in terms of; sex, gender, age, type of cardiac event, and risk factor identification. Also included was a statement on any physical limitations that would prevent a patient from participating in the exercise. A brief explanation was included on the purpose of the study, risks, voluntary participation, potential benefits, and methodology. Perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and ability to participate in exercise for a period of eighteen to twenty-four months would be different from that of individuals who did not participate at all times. There would be a difference in the self-efficacy, adherence, and health perceived benefits between those who attended for 6 to 8 weeks after cardiac surgery and those who exercised for 18 to 24 weeks. The groups would then be compared regarding self-efficacy and barriers, and the respondents who answered would be divided into adherent and non-adherent cardiac exercise. A lack of significant differences in statistics in the two groups, (p>.05) would mean that the data did not support the hypothesis.

Review of Research Study

The purpose of this research study was to look into how the healths of cardiac surgery individuals who actively participate in an exercise program are different from those who do not adhere to any exercise program after cardiac surgery. Engagement in physical activities by patients after cardiac surgery is influenced by certain variables, including health beliefs, self-efficacy, and adherence to physical activities. Participation in health behaviors like cardiac exercise reduces mortality risk and chances of recurring cardiac events (Sibilitz et al., 2016). The Health Beliefs Model is used to identify areas which influence a person's decision to take part in physical activity. The variables of the health beliefs model such as self-efficacy; perceived benefits and barriers are used to identify people who are adherent or not adherent to cardiac exercises in post-cardiac events.

Utilization of Data from Variables and the Impact in Undergraduate Healthcare Education

In undergraduate healthcare education, data from these variables can be utilized to look into the health beliefs and exercise participation over time. Health beliefs are related to the ability to participate in exercise within 18 to 24 months after cardiac surgery and the ability to participate in activities essential in fighting heart diseases. It is necessary for undergraduates to note that some other related behaviors such as high caloric intake and smoking could be linked to adherence in cardiac exercise (Sibilitz et al., 2016). Interventions by various support groups and nurses also influence the ability of cardiac surgery patients to participate in physical activities for long periods. Education that is based on health beliefs is effective in improving knowledge of nutrition. Educational programs are essential to change and enhance nutritional behavior. As much as awareness of nutrition has some positive impacts, dietary routine and perceived benefits are crucial. To create a long-lasting individual behaviour, undergraduate healthcare education will have to include long term programs and interventions which will involve more nurses playing a role in the education of cardiac surgery patients on their diet and their lifestyle. An essential aspect that undergraduates could utilize is that participation in early postoperative physical activity is an integral part of rapid recovery protocols (Eldredge et al., 2016). Appropriately prescribed physical exercise includes facilitation of increased independence to physical activity.

Conclusion/Summary

Healthcare professionals can aid their patients in obtaining knowledge and support that they require to begin and maintain regular cardiac exercise. Patients will be able to identify benefits and barriers which are related to exercise if they are assisted. In turn, patients can make plans to include these exercises into their lifestyle, especially those which they believe they can implement. Through measurement of ability to participate in physical activities at distinct times and health beliefs, medical professionals can obtain the information they need to intervene and provide support to adherence to physical activities over longer periods.

References

Eldredge, L. K. B., Markham, C. M., Ruiter, R. A., Fernandez, M. E., Kok, G., & Parcel, G. S. (2016). Planning health promotion programs: an intervention mapping approach. John Wiley & Sons. Retrieved fromhttps://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=+evaluation+of+health+education+and++health+promotion+programs.&hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&as_ylo=2013&as_yhi=2018

Foster, M. (1995). Health Beliefs and Adherence to Cardiac Exercise Following a Cardiac Event. Retrieved fromhttps://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a4c2/627beff07bbdc81e883cab070d442dcba5fd.pdf

Moore, S. M., Charvat, J. M., Gordon, N. H., Roberts, B. L., Pashkow, F., Ribisl, P., & Rocco, M. (2006). Effects of a CHANGE intervention to increase exercise maintenance following cardiac events. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 31(1), 53-62.Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1207/s15324796abm3101_9

Sibilitz, K. L., Berg, S. K., Tang, L. H., Risom, S. S., Gluud, C., Lindschou, J., ... & Zwisler, A. D. (2016). Exercisebased cardiac rehabilitation for adults after heart valve surgery. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3). Retrieved from https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/en/publications/exercise-based-cardiac-rehabilitation-for-adults-after-heart-valv