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Walking is the most common type of physical activity (PA) and the likely target of efforts to increase PA. No studies, however, have identified the belief-level correlates for walking using the theory of planned behavior. This study elicits salient beliefs about walking and evaluates beliefs that may be most important for walking-promotion campaigns. A random sample of 55 Canadian adults participated in the elicitation study, and the validation study includes 358 participants who completed measures of demographics, beliefs from the elicitation study, and self-reported walking behavior. Belief--behavior relationships show that almost all behavioral expectancies are correlates of intention and behavior, but normative and control expectancies are more select correlates. But when belief--behavior relations are evaluated by participants meeting PA recommendations, only beliefs about feeling good, appearance, stress relief, and time are significant. Public health efforts to promote walking should focus on making time for regular walking and the affective advantages that walking can provide. (Contains 4 tables.)

This study was designed to test the validity of a transtheoretical model's physical activity (PA) stage measure with intention and different intensities of behavior in a large population-based sample of adults living with diabetes (Type 1 diabetes, n = 697; Type 2 diabetes, n = 1,614) and examine different age groups. The overall "specificity" (classified correctly as inactive) for Type 1 diabetes was 69.3% based on the percentage of individuals in precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation not meeting Canada's PA guidelines. "Sensitivity" (classified correctly as active) was 82.5% based on the proportion of active participants in action and maintenance. In the Type 2 diabetes group, the overall specificity and sensitivity was 63.9% and 88.2%, respectively. No significant differences were found between the diabetes groups for stage distribution patterns, and sensitivity and specificity values. The majority of the study hypotheses related to intention and behaviors were confirmed, providing further supportive evidence for the utility of this PA staging measure for the diabetes population. (Contains 2 figures, 4 tables and 2 footnotes.)

Two studies assessed stage of motivational readiness and reported exercise behavior among North American high school and college students. Findings from both studies supported the underlying hypothesis that greater motivational readiness is associated with greater behavioral involvement. Results support the validity of the staging framework for measuring motivational readiness for exercise behavior among North American adolescents. (SM)

Background: Ethnic minority groups including Asians in Canada have different knowledge and perceptions of heart disease and breast cancer compared with the ethnic majority group. Aim: Examine relationships between perceptions of heart disease and breast cancer, and lifestyle behaviors for Canadian women with British and with South Asian ancestry. Methods: Women with South Asian (n = 170) and with British (n = 373) ancestry (Mage = 33.01, SD = 12.86) reported leisure time physical activity, intended fruit and vegetable consumption, disease perceptions (ability to reduce risk, control over getting the diseases, and influence of family history), and demographic information. Mann–Whitney tests and multiple hierarchical linear regressions were used to examine the relationships between lifestyle behaviors and disease perceptions, with ancestry explored as a possible moderator. Results: Participants with South Asian ancestry believed they had greater ability to reduce their risk and have control over getting breast cancer than participants with British ancestry. Family history influences on getting either disease was perceived as higher for women with British ancestry. Age was positively related to all three perceptions in both diseases. Intended fruit and vegetable consumption was positively related to perceptions of ability to reduce risk and control of both diseases, but was stronger for women with South Asian ancestry regarding perceptions of breast cancer. Leisure time physical activity was positively related to perceptions of control over getting heart disease for women with British ancestry. Conclusions: Women’s disease perceptions can vary by ancestry and lifestyle behaviors. Accurate representation of diseases is essential in promoting effective preventative behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise (CARE) Trial compared different types and doses of exercise performed during breast cancer chemotherapy. Here, we report the longer‐term follow‐up of patient‐reported outcomes, health‐related fitness and exercise behavior at 6, 12 and 24 months postintervention. A multicenter trial in Canada randomized 301 breast cancer patients initiating chemotherapy to thrice weekly, supervised exercise consisting of a standard dose of 25–30 min of aerobic exercise (STAN; n = 96), a higher dose of 50–60 min of aerobic exercise (HIGH; n = 101) or a combined dose of 50–60 min of aerobic and resistance exercise (COMB; n = 104) performed for the duration of chemotherapy (median of 17 weeks). Primary outcomes were patient‐reported outcomes including quality of life, cancer‐related symptoms and psychosocial outcomes. Secondary outcomes were objective health‐related fitness (assessed at 12 months only) and self‐reported exercise behavior. A total of 269 (89.4%) participants completed patient‐reported outcomes at all three follow‐up time points and 263 (87.4%) completed the health‐related fitness assessment at 12‐month follow‐up. COMB was significantly superior to (i) STAN for sleep quality at 6‐month follow‐up (p = 0.027); (ii) HIGH for upper body muscular endurance at 12‐month follow‐up (p = 0.020); and (iii) HIGH for meeting the resistance exercise guideline at 6‐month follow‐up (p = 0.006). Moreover, self‐reported meeting of the combined exercise guideline during follow‐up was significantly associated with better patient‐reported outcomes and health‐related fitness. Performing combined exercise during and after breast cancer chemotherapy may result in better longer‐term patient‐reported outcomes and health‐related fitness compared to performing aerobic exercise alone. What's new? While exercise during chemotherapy for breast cancer is associated with various improvements in patient health, including improved quality of life, it remains unclear what type and dose of exercise is most beneficial over the long term. Here, the long‐term effects of different exercise regimens on patient health were compared among stage I‐IIIc breast cancer patients initiating adjuvant chemotherapy. Relative to aerobic exercise alone, combined aerobic and resistance exercise yielded the greatest benefits for patients, both during and after chemotherapy. In particular, combined aerobic and resistance exercise was associated with superior upper and lower body muscular endurance and improved sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve quality of life and survival in cancer survivors; however, a cancer diagnosis may change PA patterns. We examine determinants of changes in meeting the PA guidelines (150 min/week of moderate aerobic PA) before and after a prostate cancer diagnosis.Methods: Eight hundred and thirty prostate cancer survivors who participated in a population-based case-control study between 1997 and 2000 in Alberta, Canada, enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Past year activity levels were self-reported at diagnosis (pre-diagnosis measure) and again 2 years post-diagnosis. Determinants were collected by questionnaires and medical chart abstractions. Four PA patterns were created: non-exercisers (fail to meet guidelines pre-diagnosis and post-diagnosis), adopters (fail to meet guidelines pre-diagnosis, meet guidelines post-diagnosis), maintainers (meet guidelines pre-diagnosis and post-diagnosis) and relapsers (meet guidelines pre-diagnosis, fail to meet guidelines post-diagnosis).Results: Multinomial logistic regression analyses identified that being a non-exerciser compared to maintainer was associated with being employed, rural location, high PSA, smoking status, not attending support groups and less than average physical quality of life (QoL). Being a relapser compared to maintainer was associated with rural location and lack of friend support. Finally, being a non-exerciser compared to adopter was associated with urinary incontinence, smoking status and less than average physical and mental QoL.Conclusions: Demographic, health and lifestyle variables are associated with changes in meeting PA guidelines from pre-diagnosis to post-diagnosis in prostate cancer survivors. Programming should be aimed at offering interventions to help inactive survivors adopt PA and active survivors to maintain PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Few exercise oncology trials have compared aerobic with strength exercise or compared combined exercise (ie, aerobic and strength training) with aerobic only or strength only. It is unknown what single or combined exercise modality is optimal for quality of life (QoL) in cancer survivors. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of meeting the combined and independent aerobic and strength exercise guidelines in kidney cancer survivors (KCS) and determine any associations with QoL.Methods: One thousand nine hundred eighty-five KCS were identified through a provincial registry in Canada and mailed a survey including exercise and QoL scales.Results: Completed surveys were received from 703 KCS. Only 10.1% of KCS reported meeting the combined exercise guidelines. Analyses of covariance indicated that, for most QoL outcomes (eg, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue), meeting the combined exercise guideline was superior to meeting either single modality guideline that, in turn, were superior to meeting neither guideline. For the primary outcome of the Trial Outcome Index-Fatigue, meeting the combined exercise guideline was superior to meeting (a) neither guideline (P < 0.001), (b) the strength-only guideline (P = 0.021), and (c) the aerobic-only guideline (P = 0.051). In turn, the aerobic and strength exercise only guidelines were superior to meeting neither guideline (P < 0.001 for aerobic; P = 0.045 for strength) but were not different from each other (P = 0.50).Conclusions: Meeting the combined exercise guideline has favorable associations with QoL in KCS, however, very few KCS are meeting the combined guideline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Previous studies in cancer survivors have examined behavioral correlates of physical activity (PA), but no study to date has adopted a broader social-ecological framework in understanding PA. This study examined the associations among demographic, medical, social-cognitive, and environmental correlates of meeting PA guidelines among kidney cancer survivors (KCS).Methods: All 1985 KCS diagnosed between 1996 and 2010 identified through a Canadian provincial registry were mailed a survey that consisted of medical, demographic, and social-cognitive measures, as well as PA as measured by the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire. Environmental constructs were also assessed for both self-report and objective measures using geographic information systems (GIS). A series of binary logistic regression analyses were conducted in this cross-sectional study.Results: Completed surveys with geographical information were received from 432 KCS with M age = 64.4 ± 11.1 years, 63.2 % male, and 82.2 % having localized kidney cancer. In the final multivariate model, meeting PA guidelines was associated with disease stage (OR = 0.25, p = .005), having drug therapy (OR = 3.98, p = .009), higher levels of instrumental attitudes (OR = 1.66, p = .053), higher levels of intention (OR = 1.72, p = .002), and the perceived presence of many retail shops in the neighborhood (OR = 1.37, p = .032).Conclusions: Meeting PA guidelines in KCS were associated with various aspects of the social-ecological model.Implications For Cancer Survivors: Understanding the social-ecological correlates for PA can provide insight into future interventions designed to increase PA in KCS. Prime targets for PA promotion should consider treatment-related factors, promote the benefits of PA, and enhance positive perceptions of the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exercise is beneficial for breast cancer patients during chemotherapy but adherence to different types and doses of exercise is a challenge. The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of adherence to different types and doses of exercise during breast cancer chemotherapy in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Methods: Breast cancer patients in Edmonton, Vancouver, and Ottawa, Canada receiving chemotherapy (N = 301) were randomized to a standard dose of 25–30 minutes of aerobic exercise (STAN), a higher dose of 50–60 minutes of aerobic exercise (HIGH), or a higher dose of 50–60 minutes of combined aerobic and resistance exercise (COMB). Predictors included demographic, medical, fitness, and quality of life variables. Exercise adherence was measured as the percentage of supervised exercise sessions completed. Results: Overall adherence to the supervised exercise sessions was 73% (SD = 24%). In a multivariate regression model, six independent predictors explained 26.4% (p < 0.001) of the variance in exercise adherence. Higher exercise adherence was achieved by breast cancer patients in Vancouver (p < 0.001), with fewer endocrine symptoms (p = 0.009), randomized to STAN (p = 0.009), with fewer exercise limitations (p = 0.009), receiving shorter chemotherapy protocols (p = 0.015), and with higher VO2peak (p = 0.017). Disease stage (p for interaction = 0.015) and body mass index (p for interaction = 0.030) interacted with group assignment to predict adherence. For disease stage, patients with stage I/IIa disease adhered equally well to all three exercise interventions whereas patients with stage IIb/III disease adhered better to the STAN intervention than the two higher dose exercise interventions. For body mass index, healthy weight patients adhered equally well to all three exercise interventions whereas overweight patients adhered best to STAN and worst to COMB; and obese patients adhered best to STAN and worst to HIGH. Conclusions: Determinants of exercise adherence in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy are multidisciplinary and may vary by the exercise prescription. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observational studies suggest that physical activity after a breast cancer diagnosis is associated with improved cancer outcomes; however, no randomized data are available. Here, we report an exploratory follow-up of cancer outcomes from the Supervised Trial of Aerobic versus Resistance Training (START). Methods: The START was a Canadian multicenter trial that randomized 242 breast cancer patients between 2003 and 2005 to usual care (n = 82), supervised aerobic (n = 78), or resistance (n = 82) exercise during chemotherapy. The primary end point for this exploratory analysis was disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary end points were overall survival, distant DFS, and recurrence-free interval. The two exercise arms were combined for analysis (n = 160), and selected subgroups were explored. Results: After a median follow-up o f 89 months, there were 25/160 (15.6%) DFS events in the exercise groups and 18/82 (22.0%) in the control group. Eight-year DFS was 82.7% for the exercise groups compared with 75.6% for the control group (HR, 0.68; 95% confidence interval (Cl), 0.37-1.24; log-rank, P = 0.21). Slightly stronger effects were observed for overall survival (HR, 0.60; 95% Cl, 0.27-1.33; log-rank, P = 0.21), distant DFS (HR, 0.62; 95% Cl, 0.32—1.19; log-rank, P = 0.15), and recurrence-free interval (HR, 0.58; 95% Cl, 0.30-1.11; Gray test, P = 0.095). Subgroup analyses suggested potentially stronger exercise effects on DFS for women who were overweight/obese (HR, 0.59; 95% Cl, 0.27-1.27), had stage II/III cancer (HR, 0.61; 95% Cl, 0.31-1.20), estrogen receptor-positive tumors (HR, 0.58; 95% Cl, 0.26-1.29), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive tumors (HR, 0.21; 95% Cl, 0.04-1.02), received taxane-based chemotherapies (HR, 0.46; 95% Cl, 0.19-1.15), and ≥85% o f their planned chemotherapy (HR, 0.50; 95% Cl, 0.25-1.01). Conclusions: This exploratory follow-up o f the START provides the first randomized data to suggest that adding exercise to standard chemotherapy may improve breast cancer outcomes. A definitive phase III trial is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Although meta-analyses have demonstrated that physical activity can positively impact quality of life outcomes in early stage cancer patients, it is not yet known whether these benefits can be extended to patients with advanced cancer. In a previous pilot survey of patients with advanced cancer with a median survival of 104 days, participants felt willing and able to participate in a physical activity intervention, and reported a strong preference for walking and home-based programming. Here, we report on the initial development and feasibility of a home-based functional walking program in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. Methods: Nine adult patients were recruited from outpatient palliative care clinics and palliative home care. A pilot intervention trial was conducted over a 6-week period. The McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL), Late Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI), Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), Seniors Fitness Test, four-test balance scale, and grip strength, were performed pre- and post-intervention. Participants wore activPAL™ accelerometers to monitor ambulatory activity levels. Results: Of the nine recruited participants, three participants dropped out prior to baseline testing due to hospital admission and feeling overwhelmed, and three participants dropped out during the intervention due to severe symptoms. Only three participants completed the intervention program, pre- and post-intervention assessments: two reported improvements in total MQOL scores, yet all three shared an overall trend towards worsening symptom and total fatigue scores post-intervention. Two participants passed away within 90 days of completing the intervention. Conclusions: This case series demonstrates the challenges of a physical activity intervention in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. Further feasibility research is required in this patient population. Trial registration: This study is registered under ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT00438620. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine demographic, medical, social cognitive, and environmental predictors of aerobic physical activity and resistance training in a population sample of adults with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Two hundred forty-four (244) participants completed questionnaires with a 3-month follow-up. Multiple and logistic regression models examined predictors of aerobic activity and resistance training. Results: Several factors were associated with higher levels of both aerobic physical activity and resistance training; self-efficacy was the strongest predictor for both modes of activity. Conclusions: The findings can guide physical activity promotion interventions and programs for this population, profiling those who are least active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Interventions for disease prevention should also be evaluated for quality of life (QoL) effects. Few exercise trials have examined QoL in the context of primary disease prevention. Here, we report the QoL outcomes from the Alberta Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Prevention (ALPHA) Trial. Methods: The ALPHA trial was a randomized controlled trial in Calgary and Edmonton, Canada between May 2003 and July 2007 that compared an exercise intervention to a sedentary lifestyle among 320 sedentary, postmenopausal women. The exercise group was asked to perform moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise 45min/day, 5 days/week for 1 year. QoL was assessed by the short form-36 health survey. Results: Compared to the control group, the exercise group maintained significantly better physical functioning (p <0.001), general health (p <0.001), vitality (p =0.002), and bodily pain (p =0.020) by 4–5 points which exceeds the 3.0 minimally important difference for these scales. Changes in body composition partially mediated the intervention effects. Antidepressant use and the presence of comorbidities moderated some intervention effects. Conclusions: A 1-year moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise program prevents declines in the physical aspects of QoL in postmenopausal women. Exercise may have a potentially important advantage for breast cancer prevention compared to other lifestyle or biomedical interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background -: This pilot study evaluated the feasibility (recruitment, retention, adherence and satisfaction) and preliminary efficacy of a 12-week website and email-linked counselling intervention on physical activity behaviour change in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Methods -: A total of 49 individuals with type 2 diabetes (59% female, average age 54.1 years) were randomized to the Diabetes NetPLAY intervention or control condition. The intervention condition received information grounded in the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), personalized weekly emails, an on-line logbook and message board. Key outcomes included physical activity behaviour and related cognition changes. The control condition was provided links to the Canadian Diabetes Association's Clinical Practice Guidelines for Physical Activity and Canada's Guide to Physical Activity. Results -: Intervention participants indicated high levels of satisfaction for this mode of delivery and study results demonstrated the feasibility of web-based mediums for the delivery of physical activity information in this population. The intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in total vigorous and moderate minutes of physical activity (p = 0.05) compared to the control group over the 12-week study. Among the SCT variables, behavioural capacity, showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) among intervention participants. Conclusion -: Web-based interventions for individuals with type 2 diabetes are feasible and show promise for improving positive physical activity outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the predictors of supervised exercise adherence in breast cancer patients initiating adjuvant chemotherapy in Edmonton, Ottawa and Vancouver, Canada. Objective attendance records were used to evaluate the adherence of the patients. Findings of univariate and multivariate analysis reveal that supervised exercise adherence has significant relations to the training location, disease stage and depression as well as patients' muscular strength, percent body fat and education. It was concluded that breast cancer patients' exercise adherence was not driven by motivational variables but by unique factors such as location, fitness and depression.

The article presents a study which provides population-based estimates of the risk factors, such as physical activity and obesity, in Canadian cancer survivors. Analysis of the data from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey suggests that cancer survivors have low levels of physical activity and that a high prevalence of obesity may place them at high risk for poorer disease outcomes. Findings recommend a population-based interventions that would improve the health of cancer survivors.

Cancer is a common disease that affects over 150 000 Canadians every year. About 78% of all cancers are diagnosed in adults aged 60 years and older. Improved survival rates for cancer survivors have brought lifestyle and quality of life issues to the forefront. In other chronic disease populations, exercise is considered a foundational health behavior; however, the benefits of exercise in cancer survivors are only beginning to be described. Moreover, what little is known about exercise in cancer survivors has been derived largely from research on middle-aged survivors. In the present article, we review the literature on exercise, aging, and cancer. Our review shows that very few studies have examined exercise in older cancer survivors or have approached the topic from an aging perspective. The limited research that is available suggests that, compared with middle-aged cancer survivors, older cancer survivors: (i) derive similar benefits from exercise, (ii) have lower exercise participation rates, (iii) have more difficulty adhering to an exercise program, and (iv) have different determinants of exercise motivation and behavior. We end by offering some future research directions that may help generate important new exercise knowledge in this underserved cancer survivor population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors determined the validity and reliability of their Past Year Total Physical Activity Questionnaire (PYTPAQ), which assesses the frequency, duration, and intensity of occupational, household, and recreational activities performed over the past year. The PYTPAQ was completed twice at baseline, 9 weeks apart (on average), by 154 healthy Canadian men and women aged 35–65 years for assessment of reliability. The PYTPAQ was completed again 1 year later as a self-administered questionnaire. Four times during the year, participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days and completed 7-day physical activity logs. The authors assessed validity by comparing PYTPAQ summary values with 1-year averages of the physical activity logs and accelerometer data and with physical fitness and anthropometric data measured at baseline and 1 year. Spearman correlations for reliability (metabolic equivalent-hours/week) were 0.64 for total activity, 0.70 for occupational activity, 0.73 for recreational activity, and 0.65 for household activity. For total activity, the intraclass correlation coefficient for correlation between the PYTPAQ and the 7-day physical activity logs was 0.42 (95% confidence interval: 0.28, 0.54), and for the accelerometer data it was 0.18 (95% confidence interval: 0.03, 0.32). Spearman correlations between PYTPAQ hours/week of vigorous activity and maximal oxygen uptake were 0.37 and 0.32 at baseline and follow-up, respectively. In general, the PYTPAQ has acceptable reliability and validity for measurement of past-year physical activity that is comparable to that of similar questionnaires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: The goal of this study was to examine oncologists' attitudes towards recommending exercise to patients with cancer during treatment.Patients and Methods: Using a national survey, all 659 practicing medical and radiation oncologists in Canada were sent a brief questionnaire.Results: The response rate was 46% (281/610). The majority of oncologists agreed that exercise was beneficial (62.0%), important (55.8%) and safe (63.1%) for patients with cancer during treatment. Forty-three percent of oncologists reported that they tried to recommend exercise to their patients when appropriate. Moreover, oncologists actually reported recommending exercise to 28% of their patients during the past month. Analyses also indicated significant differences between oncologists, with younger, female, and medical oncologists generally having more favorable attitudes towards exercise for patients with cancer than their older, male, and radiation oncology counterparts.Conclusions: Oncologists have a favorable attitude toward recommending exercise to patients with cancer although several important barriers may prevent oncologists from providing exercise advice to their patients. Further research is required evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and strategies designed to improve oncologists' confidence and ability to advise their patients on exercise during oncology consultations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preliminary evidence indicates that physical exercise may be an effective strategy for the rehabilitation of cancer patients following bone marrow transplantation (BMT), but the determinants of such exercise are not known. In this study, we used a prospective design to evaluate the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991) as a social cognitive framework for understanding exercise motivation and behavior in 37 BMT patients. On admittance to the hospital, participants completed a baseline questionnaire that assessed the theory of planned behavior and then monitored the frequency and duration of self-initiated cycle ergometer exercise during their hospitalization. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that intention and perceived behavioral control explained 36% of the variance in exercise behavior when the analyses were restricted to nonthrombocytopenic patients (n = 28). Moreover, attitude and perceived behavioral control explained 68% of the variance in exercise intentions. We concluded that the theory of planned behavior provided an excellent understanding of exercise intentions in this population and context and that its ability to predict exercise behavior could be improved substantially by taking into account significant medical complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objectives: To assess the feasibility and safety of an aerobic exercise intervention in patients with rectal cancer during and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT). Design: A prospective, single-group design with assessments at pre-NACRT, post-NACRT, and presurgery. Setting: The Cross Cancer Institute and University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Sample: 18 patients with rectal cancer scheduled to receive long-course NACRT followed by definitive surgery. Methods: Participants received a supervised moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program three days per week during six weeks of NACRT followed by an unsupervised aerobic exercise program for 150 minutes or more per week for 6-8 weeks prior to surgery. Main Research Variables: Eligibility rate, recruitment rate, follow-up rate, exercise adherence, serious adverse events, health-related fitness outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes. Findings: Follow-up rates post-NACRT were 83% for health-related fitness outcomes and 94% for patient-reported outcomes. Patients attended a median of 83% of their supervised exercise sessions and completed a mean of 222 minutes per week (SD = 155) of their unsupervised exercise. No serious adverse events were observed or reported. Most health-related fitness outcomes and patient-reported outcomes declined during NACRT and recovered after NACRT. Conclusions: Aerobic exercise is feasible and safe for patients with rectal cancer during and after NACRT. Implications for Nursing: Patients with rectal cancer are able to engage in moderateintensity aerobic exercise during NACRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise training improves health-related physical fitness and patient-reported outcomes in cancer survivors, but few interventions have targeted colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. This investigation aimed to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a 12-week supervised exercise training program for CRC survivors. Feasibility was assessed by tracking participant recruitment, loss to follow-up, assessment completion rates, participant evaluation, and adherence to the intervention. Efficacy was determined by changes in health-related physical fitness. Over a 1-year period, 72 of 351 (21%) CRC survivors screened were eligible for the study and 29 of the 72 (40%) were enrolled. Two participants were lost to follow-up (7%) and the completion rate for all study assessments was ≥93%. Mean adherence to the exercise intervention was 91% (standard deviation = ±18%), with a median of 98%. Participants rated the intervention positively (all items ≥ 6.6/7) and burden of testing low (all tests ≤ 2.4/7). Compared with baseline, CRC survivors showed improvements in peak oxygen uptake (mean change (MC) = +0.24 L·min−1, p < 0.001), upper (MC = +7.0 kg, p < 0.001) and lower (MC = +26.5 kg, p < 0.001) body strength, waist circumference (MC = −2.1 cm, p = 0.005), sum of skinfolds (MC = −7.9 mm, p = 0.006), and trunk forward flexion (MC = +2.5 cm, p = 0.019). Exercise training was found to be feasible and improved many aspects of health-related physical fitness in CRC survivors that may be associated with improved quality of life and survival in these individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct a historical review of psycho-oncology and supportive care research in Canada using citation analysis and to review the clinical impact of the research conducted by the most highly cited researchers. Methods: The lifetime journal publication records of 109 psycho-oncology and supportive care researchers in Canada were subject to citation analysis using the Scopus database, based on citations since 1996 of articles deemed relevant to psychosocial oncology and supportive care, excluding self-citations. Three primary types of analysis were performed for each individual: the number of citations for each journal publication, a summative citation count of all published articles, and the Scopus h-index. Results: The top 20 psycho-oncology/supportive care researchers for each of five citation categories are presented: the number of citations for all publications; the number of citations for first-authored publications; the most highly cited first-authored publications; the Scopus h-index for all publications; and the Scopus h-index for first-authored publications. The three most highly cited Canadian psycho-oncology researchers are Dr. Kerry Courneya (University of Alberta), Dr. Lesley Degner, (University of Manitoba), and Dr. Harvey Chochinov (University of Manitoba). Conclusions: Citation analysis is useful for examining the research performance of psycho-oncology and supportive care researchers and identifying leaders among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a study that identifies key demographic and health factors associated with physical activity (PA) participation in adults diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes recruited from the Canadian Diabetes Association of Alberta, Canada. The study uses multiple and logistic regression models to identify demographic and health factors related to PA levels, and the analyses were conducted separately for type 1 and type 2 groups. The study shows that a 63.7% of those with type 1 and 71.9% for those with type 2 diabetes were not achieving recommended PA levels.