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The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine the relationship between social identity and exercise adherence among older adults. Eighty group-based older adult exercise class attendees (M age = 68.00) completed a baseline questionnaire assessing the three dimensions of social identification (ingroup ties, cognitive centrality, ingroup affect) with their exercise class, and recorded their exercise class attendance using a logbook over a four-month period. Results highlighted in-group affect as a significant predictor of exercise class adherence, meaning older adults who reported positive feelings and emotions associated with their exercise class membership were also more likely to attend class across time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participation in dog agility may strengthen the bond between dog owners and their dogs and provide a reason for increasing physical fitness, thus increasing physical activity behavior. The purpose of this study was to compare physical activity levels (performed both with their dogs and without their dogs) of agility trainers with non-agility trainers, and to examine factors associated with physical activity using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and dog responsibility (i.e., the sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of one's dog). Dog owners (n = 280) completed an online survey that examined the relationship between participation in dog agility and (a) physical activity (performed with or without a dog), and (b) motives for physical activity, behavioral regulation, and dog responsibility using multiple regression analyses and analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs). Agility trainers indicated significantly higher total weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity with a dog (p < 0.05), but lower weekly levels of physical activity without a dog compared with non-agility trainers. ANCOVAs indicated that agility trainers showed higher competence motives (p < 0.01), and social motives (p < 0.05) compared with non-agility trainers. Multiple regression analyses indicated that the SDT constructs and dog responsibility accounted for 23% of the variance in physical activity with a dog in the overall sample, but that no significant differences were found in these relationships when agility trainers compared with non-agility trainers through moderation analyses. In conclusion, dog owners who train their dogs in agility may accumulate more physical activity with their dogs but less physical activity without their dogs compared with other dog owners. Dog agility trainers may indicate more self-determined and intrinsic motives for physical activity with a dog compared with non-agility trainers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Examine if family history of cancer serves as a cue to action prompting adults to assess their personal risk of cancer, consider the consequences, and engage in physical activity (PA) if they believe it will reduce their risk. Design: Cross-sectional survey of adults with and without a close relative with cancer. Main Outcome Measures: Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs of perceived cancer vulnerability, perceived cancer severity, response effectiveness of PA, self-efficacy for PA, and barriers to PA, and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA). Results: Perceived barriers and self-efficacy correlated with MVPA in both groups (p <.05), and perceived vulnerability and response effectiveness correlated with MVPA in participants with a close relative with cancer (p <.05). In multiple regression analyses, HBM constructs accounted for 18.5% and 8.3% of the variability in MVPA among participants with and without a close relative with cancer, respectively. Participants with a close relative with cancer had greater perceived vulnerability to cancer compared to participants without a close relative with cancer (p <.001). Conclusion: Adults with and without a close relative with cancer may be differentially influenced by HBM constructs, and as a result may respond differently to PA interventions and public health messaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objectives: To examine the effectiveness of online learning modules for improving physical activity counseling practices among oncology nurses. Design: Randomized, controlled trial. Setting: Online. Sample: 54 oncology nurses. Methods: Oncology nurses were randomly assigned to the learning modules group or control group. The learning modules group completed six online learning modules and quizzes focused on physical activity for cancer survivors, general physical activity principles, and motivational interviewing. Main Research Variables: Percentage of cancer survivors counseled, self-efficacy for physical activity counseling, knowledge of physical activity, and perceived barriers and benefits of physical activity counseling. Findings: Analyses of covariance revealed no significant difference between the learning modules and control groups in the percentage of cancer survivors that oncology nurses counseled. Significant differences were found in self-efficacy for physical activity counseling and perceived barriers to physical activity counseling at postintervention. Conclusions: The online learning intervention tested in this study improved some parameters of physical activity counseling but did not increase the percentage of cancer survivors that oncology nurses counseled. Additional pilot work is needed to refine the intervention. Implications for Nursing: This study suggests the potential utility of an evidence-based online learning strategy for oncology nurses that includes information on physical activity and its benefits in cancer survivorship. The findings offer a framework on how to implement physical activity counseling skills in oncology nursing practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity has been found to have a number of benefits for lung cancer patients yet very little information is available concerning physical activity beliefs and preferences for this population. The purpose of the study was to explore physical activity programming and counseling preferences and beliefs about physical activity in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy. A total of 43 new diagnosed lung cancer patients completed a researcher-administered survey prior to commencing chemotherapy. Results indicated that only 7 participants (17%) reported meeting public health recommendations for physical activity yet the majority of participants (n = 28) indicated interest or possible interest in physical activity counseling. Many participants also indicated interest or possible interest in an exercise program (n = 29) for lung cancer survivors, preferring it to start during chemotherapy (n = 20), for it to be home based (n = 21), and moderate in intensity (n = 22). The most common behavioral belief (advantage) of physical activity was to build/maintain strength (n = 26) and the most common control belief (barrier) was fatigue (n = 11). These data suggest that physical activity counseling and programming may be well received by newly diagnosed lung cancer patients. Information about physical activity and programming preferences and beliefs from this study may be useful for the design of optimal physical activity interventions for lung cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oncology nurses are well poised to provide lifestyle behavior counseling to cancer survivors. However, very little is known about the current lifestyle behavior counseling practices of oncology nurses. Objectives: The primary purpose of this study was to examine lifestyle behavior counseling practices of oncology nurses. The secondary purpose was to examine differences in lifestyle behavior counseling based on nurses' health behaviors, additional training received, and country of residence. Methods: Oncology nurses (N = 314) were primarily recruited through emails from oncology nursing email lists. Participants completed an online survey. Findings: Overall, oncology nurses reported providing lifestyle counseling to most cancer survivors when appropriate. The majority of oncology nurses said they were receptive to receiving additional training about lifestyle counseling. Participants who had received additional training and who lived in the United States were more likely to provide counseling to cancer survivors. Concerning their own health behaviors, no meaningful differences were found regarding lifestyle behavior counseling practices, which contrasts with findings from previous research. Strengthening oncology nurses' lifestyle behavior counseling knowledge and skills may offer opportunities to enhance survivors' optimal health and quality of life and to reduce their risk of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity (PA) has many benefits for cancer survivors. However, the available PA resources for survivors at cancer centers throughout the United States are undocumented. The current study surveyed major cancer centers concerning the availability and types (e.g., facilities, programs, counseling, information resources) of PA resources available. Of supportive care services, PA resources were the least commonly reported. Significant correlations were found among availability of PA resources and other supportive care services. Although many cancer centers reported offering PA programming, formal and informal PA guidance and support seem to fall on oncology nurses and other clinicians. Oncology nurses should be reminded that they may be one of the only sources of PA guidance available to survivors at cancer centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objectives: To explore relationships among quality of life (QOL), stress reactivity, health behaviors, and compliance to medical care in breast cancer survivors.Design: One-time descriptive laboratory study.Setting: A visual motor laboratory at a rural university in the southeastern United States.Sample: 25 breast cancer survivors.Methods: Participants were subjected to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in a laboratory setting and completed questionnaires at home prior to and after the laboratory session.Main Research Variables: Changes in heart rate variability (HRV), salivary cortisol, and state anxiety from the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) estimated stress reactivity. Health behaviors, QOL, and trait anxiety were determined by questionnaires. Compliance to medical care was determined from medical records.Findings: Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) indicated that QOL scores were higher for participants with lower compared to higher stress reactivity (p < 0.05). In addition, ANOVAs revealed that participants high in compliance to medical care indicated a lower stress response as determined by HRV (p < 0.01) and the STAI (p < 0.05) compared to those low in compliance. No significant differences were noted in any of the health behaviors based on stress reactivity.Conclusions: The data suggest that breast cancer survivors who indicate the greatest stress reactivity tend to have the poorest compliance to medical care and lowest QOL.Implications for Nursing: Nurses may wish to provide additional support to breast cancer survivors who indicate high stress reactivity in the hopes of improving compliance to medical care and QOL.Knowledge Translation: The data suggest that supportive care strategies that reduce stress could potentially improve compliance to medical care in breast cancer survivors. In addition, strategies for managing stress may result in improvements in QOL. Health behaviors, according to the data, do not seem to be influenced by stress reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Background: Despite evidence of the benefits of exercise in cancer survivors, exercise participation rates end to decline after treatments. Few studies have examined the determinants of exercise in less common cancer sites. In this study, we examined medical, demographic, and social cognitive correlates of exercise in endometrial cancer survivors using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Methods: A mailed survey was completed by 354 endometrial cancer survivors (1 to 10 years postdiagnosis) residing in Alberta, Canada. The study was cross-sectional. Exercise behavior was assessed using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire and the TPB constructs were assessed with standard self-report scales. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine the independent associations of the TPB constructs with intention and behavior. Results: Chi-square analyses indicated that marital status (p = .003), income level (p = .013), and body mass index (BMI) (p = .020) were associated with exercise. The TPB explained 34.1% of the variance in exercise behavior with intention (β = .38, p < .001) and self-efficacy (β = .18, p = .029) being independent correlates. For intention, 38.3% of the variance was explained by the TPB with self-efficacy (β = .34, p < .001) and affective attitude (β = .30, p < .001) being the independent correlates. The TPB mediated the associations of marital status and BMI with exercise but not income level. Age and BMI moderated the associations of the TPB with intention and behavior. Conclusion: The TPB may be a useful framework for understanding exercise in endometrial cancer survivors. Exercise behavior change interventions based on the TPB should be tested in this growing population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives : Lack of exercise and excess body weight may exacerbate treatment-related declines in quality of life (QoL) in endometrial cancer survivors. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the associations among exercise, body weight, and QoL in a population-based sample of endometrial cancer survivors. Methods : Participants were 386 endometrial cancer survivors residing in Alberta, Canada who completed a mailed survey that assessed self-reported exercise, height, and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI) and QoL using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia (FACT-An) scale. Results : Descriptive data indicated that 70% of the sample were not meeting public health exercise guidelines and 72% were overweight or obese. Multivariate analyses of variance demonstrated that endometrial cancer survivors meeting public health guidelines for exercise and body weight reported significantly better QoL than survivors not meeting guidelines. The differences in QoL between the groups were clinically meaningful and were not altered when controlling for important demographic and medical variables. There were no interactions between exercise, BMI, age, or time since diagnosis. Lastly, multiple regression analysis identified that both exercise (β = .21; P &#60; .001) and BMI (β = −.17; P &#60; .001) were independently associated with QoL. Conclusions : These results suggest that exercise and body weight are important independent correlates of QoL in endometrial cancer survivors. Randomized controlled trials designed to test the causal effects of exercise and/or weight loss on QoL in endometrial cancer survivors are warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose/Objectives: To explore exercise programming and counseling preferences and exercise-related beliefs in breast cancer survivors during and after radiation therapy, and to compare differences based on treatment and insurance status.Design: Cross-sectional survey.Setting: Ambulatory cancer center in a rural community in eastern North Carolina.Sample: 91 breast cancer survivors during or after radiation therapy.Methods: The researchers administered the questionnaire to participants.Main Research Variables: Exercise programming and counseling preferences and exercise beliefs moderated by treatment status (on-treatment, early, and late survivors) and insurance status (Medicaid, non-Medicaid).Findings: Chi-square analyses indicated that fewer Medicaid users were physically active and reported health benefits as an advantage of exercise compared to non-Medicaid users (p < 0.05). In addition, more Medicaid users preferred exercise programming at their cancer center compared to non-Medicaid users (p < 0.05). More on-treatment and early survivors listed health benefits as advantages to exercise, but fewer indicated weight control as an advantage compared to late survivors (p < 0.05). Early survivors were more likely than on-treatment survivors to indicate that accessible facilities would make exercising easier for them (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Medicaid users are less active, less likely to identify health benefits as an advantage for exercising, and more likely to prefer cancer center-based exercise programming compared to non-Medicaid users. In addition, on-treatment and early survivors are more likely to list health benefits and less likely to indicate weight control as advantages of exercising compared to late survivors.Implications for Nursing: The low activity levels of Medicaid users may be best targeted by providing cancer center-based exercise programming. Exercise interventions may be most effective if tailored to the unique needs of treatment status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine predictors of physical activity (PA) 6 months after a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Breast cancer survivors (N=377) completed assessments at baseline, postintervention, and 6 months after the intervention. Data were collected on demographic, medical, psychosocial, motivational, and behavioral variables at baseline, postintervention, and 6 months. Results: Survivors meeting PA guidelines at baseline (OR=5.54, 95% CI=2.99-9.82, P<0.001) and postintervention (OR = 2.92, 95% CI=1.63-5.23, P<0.001) had a greater likelihood of meeting PA guidelines at 6 months follow-up. Conclusions: Interventions promoting PA maintenance should focus on optimizing PA behavior, psychosocial functioning, and motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (PA) can alleviate many adverse side effects and symptoms caused by cancer treatments; yet, most cancer survivors are insufficiently active. Evidence shows that theory-based PA behavior change interventions are more effective than non-theory-based interventions; thus, it is necessary to ascertain modifiable theoretical factors associated with moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA among cancer survivors. Drawing on the health belief model (HBM), the associations between moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA and (1) perceived susceptibility to cancer recurrence and health problems, (2) perceived severity of cancer recurrence and health problems, (3) perceived benefits of PA for reducing risk of cancer recurrence and health problems, (4) perceived barriers to PA, and (5) PA barrier self-efficacy among cancer survivors were examined. Methods: A total of 123 adult cancer survivors (Mage = 50.1 ± 15.5 years; 82.9% female) completed an online self-report survey assessing sociodemographic and medical characteristics, moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA, and the HBM constructs. Data were analyzed descriptively and using hierarchical linear regression analysis. Results: After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, time since cancer diagnosis, and treatments received, the HBM constructs collectively explained 29% of the variance in moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA. Perceived benefits of PA (β =.20, 95% CI [1.81, 11.67], p =.007) and PA barrier self-efficacy (β =.42, 95% CI [0.26, 0.53], p <.001) were significantly associated with moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA. Conclusion: Raising awareness of the benefits of PA for reducing risk of cancer recurrence and health problems and strengthening self-efficacy to overcome PA barriers may help to promote cancer survivors' attainment of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although several studies have examined the effect of accumulated bouts on health outcomes, the impact of recommending short bouts on activity-related behavior in health promotion efforts has received minimal investigation. Method: During this 5-week study in 2007–2008, 43 university employees (8 male, 35 female) in the Southeastern United States were randomly assigned to a group recommended to achieve (a) 10,000 steps (10K), (b) 30-minutes (30min) of continuous physical activity, or (c) 30-minutes of activity in bouts of at least 10minutes (bouts). Results and conclusions: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the 10K group showed the largest increase in step counts whereas the bouts group showed the smallest change over the intervention period, p =0.01. Condition differences were most pronounced on days in which participants met their activity recommendation. Accelerometer results revealed that the 10K (d =1.1) and 30min groups (d =0.89) showed large increases in minutes of moderate to vigorous activity (MVPA), whereas the bouts group showed minimal change (d =0.11). Although activity recommendations did not differentially affect self-efficacy, participants from all conditions showed decreased self-efficacy across the intervention (p =0.02), highlighting the need to develop strategies to increase self-efficacy in activity promotion efforts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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]

Goals Of Work: Although exercise has gained recognition as an effective supportive care intervention for cancer survivors, exercise participation rates are low. The present study examined the determinants of exercise in bladder cancer survivors using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).Patients and Methods: Bladder cancer survivors (N = 397) residing in Alberta, Canada completed a mailed questionnaire at baseline that assessed demographic, medical, behavioral, and social cognitive variables and a second questionnaire 3 months later that assessed exercise. Multiple regression was the primary analysis.Main Results: Adjuvant therapy (r = -0.10, p = 0.021), cancer invasiveness (r = -0.10, p = 0.051), and age (r = -0.11, p = 0.037) were all negatively associated with exercise. Intention (beta = 0.25, p < 0.001), perceived behavioral control (beta = 0.18, p = 0.001), and planning (beta = 0.12, p = 0.018) explained 20.9% of the variance in exercise over a 3-month period. Perceived behavioral control (beta = 0.32, p < 0.001), affective attitude (beta = 0.18, p = 0.002), instrumental attitude (beta = 0.15, p = 0.025) and descriptive norm (beta = 0.10, p = 0.032) explained 39.1% of the variability in exercise intention. Constructs from the TPB mediated the associations between adjuvant therapy, cancer invasiveness, age, and exercise. Age and adjuvant therapy also moderated some of the associations within the TPB.Conclusions: Some medical and demographic variables predict exercise behavior in bladder cancer survivors, but these associations are mediated by the TPB. Interventions based on the TPB may be effective for promoting exercise in this cancer survivor population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older cancer survivors experience the combined deleterious effects associated with aging and a cancer diagnosis. The purpose of the present paper is to review the potential role of physical exercise in attenuating the effects of cancer and its treatments in older cancer survivors. Noting the limited direct research on exercise in older cancer survivors, we review the literature on: (a) older adults in general; and (b) cancer survivors in general. We conclude that although there is limited direct evidence on the benefits of exercise in older cancer survivors, there is compelling evidence of the benefits of exercise in cancer survivors in general and other older populations. We also conclude that exercise adherence will be a significant challenge in this population. Based on this evidence, we tentatively recommend exercise to older cancer survivors using the American College of Sports Medicine’s [Med Sci Sports Exerc 30 (6) (1998) 992] guidelines for older adults in general. Finally, we offer future research directions that will provide important evidence needed to guide clinical decisions about exercise in older cancer survivors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]