Background: Many studies published in other countries have identified certain perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity among patients with coronary heart disease. Nevertheless, there is no data about the issue relating to Jordanian patients with coronary heart disease.Objective: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of levels of physical activity, the benefits of and barriers to physical activity as perceived by Jordanian patients with coronary heart disease, and the relationship between physical activity and perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity. In addition, it focused on examining the influence of selected sociodemographic and health characteristics on physical activity and the perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity.Methods: A cross-sectional design was performed on a sample of 400 patients with coronary heart disease. They were given a list of perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity and asked to what extent they disagreed or agreed with each.Results: Jordanian patients with coronary heart disease perceived various benefits of and barriers to physical activity. Most of these benefits were physiologically related (average mean = 5.7, SD = 0.7). The most substantial barriers to physical activity as perceived by the patients were “feeling anxiety,” “not enough time,” “lack of interest,” “bad weather,” and “feeling of being uncomfortable.” Sociodemographic and health characteristics that significantly influenced perceived barriers to physical activity were age, gender, health perception, chest pain frequency, education, job, caring responsibilities, ability to travel alone, smoking, and previous and current physical activity behavior.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that patients with coronary heart disease have perceived physiological benefits of physical activity and have perceived motivational, physical health, and environmental barriers to physical activity, which is significant in developing intervention strategies that aim to maximize patients' participation in physical activity and overcome barriers to physical activity.

Background: Physical activity (PA) has been consistently reported as a crucial component of disease prevention and improvement of people’s health. Nevertheless, data has evidenced a decline in physical activity levels among adults in Jordan. Although previous behavioral change interventions have documented efficacy in increasing physical activity among adults, the PA levels is low among adults. A new motivational intervention that focuses on changing behavior toward performing the recommended level of physical activity is on need.Objective: This two-arm single-center randomized controlled trial aimed to measure the efficacy of a multi-component behavioral intervention (including goal setting, self-monitoring, and feed-back) for increasing physical activity levels and self-efficacy for exercise and decreasing body mass index and blood pressure among students at a Jordanian University.Setting: Philadelphia University in Jordan.Methods: A behavioral intervention based on individualized consultations, text messages reminders and interaction with a Facebook page was compared with educational sessions in terms of efficacy for increasing physical activity levels among students at Philadelphia University.Results: The intervention and control groups were comparable at baseline. At 6 months a significant increase was seen in the moderate physical activity and walking levels of the intervention group compared with the control group. The mean change (SD) in total METs of moderate physical activity and walking was 503 (325.20) METs/week in the intervention group and 6 (271.20) METs/week in the control group. The mean change (SD) in steps/day was 3,000 (1,217) steps/day in the intervention group and 876 (1120.23) steps/day in the control group. The difference between mean change of the two groups was very significant at 2,124 (−820 to −563). Self-efficacy for exercise scale significantly increased among the intervention group compared with the control group. In addition, body mass index (BMI) declined from the baseline (Mean: 28.23, SD: 4.82) to 6 months (Mean: 25.36, SD: 5.23) for the intervention group.Conclusion: Behavioral intervention through multicomponent strategies, alongside the implementation of an advanced communication strategy via phone and social media, is effective for motivating adult students to increase their physical activity levels.Clinical trial registration: ISRCTN54100536.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the intention of Jordanian patients diagnosed with hyperlipidemia to engage in physical activity. This objective was achieved via an in-depth analysis of how patient attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control can influence patient intentions to exercise. Additionally, this research examined how sociodemographic factors and perceived barriers can impact patient participation in physical activity. Methodology: This study employed a cross-sectional approach on a convenience sample of Jordanian patients diagnosed with hyperlipidemia. To gain the required data, a 15-item questionnaire (derived from the Theory of Planned Behavior) was presented to the participants in the form of an online survey (via several platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and email). Results: The results indicate that perceived behavioral control had a significant correlation with the participants’ intentions to participate in physical activity. Additionally, the findings revealed that there were no significant correlations between demographic features (age, marital status, level of education, and monthly income) and intention to engage in physical activity. However, the results ascertained the existence of several facilitators to exercise (such as financial resource availability, self-interest, beneficial weather conditions, and supportive friends or exercise partners). The most commonly reported barriers to physical activity included time constraints, work commitments, and limitations imposed by existing health conditions. Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights that can be employed to develop physical activity programs that address the cultural needs of Jordanian patients diagnosed with hyperlipidemia and enhance their levels of physical activity.