OBJECTIVE: To explore long-term effect of a 3-month exercise programme on leisure time physical activity level in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed on data from 100 individuals with axSpA who were included in a randomized controlled trial. The exercise group (EG) participated in a 3-month exercise programme while the control group (CG) received no intervention. Physical activity during leisure time was measured with a questionnaire (physically active >= 1 hour/week with moderate/vigorous intensity physical activity). Disease activity was measured with the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Scale (ASDAS, higher score = worst). Statistical analyses were performed on an intention to treat basis using Chi-square tests, logistic regression and mixed models. Clinical Trials.gov (NCT02356874). RESULTS: At 12-month follow-up, significantly more individuals in the EG than in the CG were physically active (29 (67%) versus 13 (30%), p < 0.001) and exercised 2 to 3/week (25 (58%) versus 15 (34%), p = 0.02), and fewer exercised at light intensity (3 (8%) versus 14 (44%), p = 0.002). "Participation in the EG" (odds ratio (OR) 6.7 (95%CI 2.4 to 18.6), p < 0.001) and "being physically active at baseline" (OR 4.7 (95%CI 1.4 to 15.8), p = 0.01) were the factors most associated with being physically active. There were no differences between the groups in ASDAS (p = 0.79). CONCLUSION: A 3-month exercise programme had a beneficial long-term effect on leisure time physical activity in individuals with axSpA, thus indicating a more beneficial health profile. Still, few individuals continued the intensive programme, and there was no difference between the groups in disease activity after 12 months.

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