Couples’ physical activity concordance during cardiac rehabilitation

Physical activity plays a central role in cardiac rehabilitation, serving as a pivotal factor in recovery and secondary prevention. Interpersonal factors within patients’ romantic relationships play a critical role in the rehabilitation process, as partners tend to show behavioral concordance in their health behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the interdependence of physical activity between Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients and their partners, as well as the role of relationship satisfaction in moderating this concordance. Utilizing 21 daily diary assessments from couples, we examined co-fluctuations in patients’ and partners’ daily physical activity. A significant concordance in couples’ physical activity was found. However, relationship satisfaction did not moderate this association, suggesting that couples’ daily concordance occurred regardless of their average satisfaction level. These results highlight the potential influence of partners on each other’s health behaviors. Our findings suggest important implications for the development of dyadic interventions aimed at promoting physical activity as an integral component of cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention.