Support for physical activity among young cancer survivors.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 177-177
Author(s):  
Pamela Kim Washington
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Psychosocial Effects ◽  
Qualitative Analyses

177 Background: There is strong evidence that physical activity mitigates negative psychosocial effects and sequelae associated with adjuvant chemotherapy among cancer survivors. Given the many benefits of physical activity in this population, it is important to understand the factors that influence continued participation post diagnosis. One possible determinant that has received little attention to date is the influence of social support. This study is unique in that it is the first to explore the role of social support for physical activity among young survivors of breast cancer through the use of mixed methods. Methods: Survey data (n = 273) were used to determine actual levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity. These data were subsequently used to identify women of interest to participate in face-to-face qualitative interviews. Semi-structured interviews (n = 31) were conducted with a subset of women from the quantitative sample. Participants were Bay Area women who were age 55 or less and premenopausal at the time of diagnosis and who also received adjuvant chemotherapy. Following qualitative analyses, hypotheses were developed to test the association between social support and obtaining recommended levels of physical activity through the use of logistic regression analyses using a sample of 273 women. Results: Qualitative analyses indicated that women who have a partner with whom they engage in physical activity are more likely to adopt and maintain physical activity behaviors over time. Regression analyses provide evidence that women who have support specifically for physical activity are more likely to meet recommended activity guidelines (b = .030, OR = 1.030 per unit of scale, p = .003, C.I. = 1.01 – 1.05). Conclusions: When considering correlates of physical activity, social support specific to physical activity may be important or even pivotal in assisting survivors to adopt and/or maintain participation in a given activity at recommended levels.

scholarly journals Profiles of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Physically Active and Inactive Older Adults in Rural England

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3971
Author(s):  
Jolanthe de Koning ◽  
Suzanne H. Richards ◽  
Grace E. R. Wood ◽  
Afroditi Stathi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Physically Active

Objective: Loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risk of morbidity and mortality and physical inactivity in older age. This study explored the socioecological context in which both physically active and inactive older adults experience loneliness and/or social isolation in a UK rural setting. Design: A mixed-methods design employed semi structured interviews and accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Interviews explored the personal, social and environmental factors influencing engagement with physical activities, guided by an adapted-socioecological model of physical activity behaviour. Findings: Twenty-four older adults (MeanAge = 73 (5.8 SD); 12 women) were interviewed. Transcripts were thematically analysed and seven profiles of physical activity, social isolation and loneliness were identified. The high-MVPA group had established PA habits, reported several sources of social contact and evaluated their physical environment as activity friendly. The low MVPA group had diverse experiences of past engagement in social activities. Similar to the high MVPA, they reported a range of sources of social contact but they did not perceive the physical environment as activity friendly. Conclusions: Loneliness and/or social isolation was reported by both physically active and inactive older adults. There is wide diversity and complexity in types and intensity of PA, loneliness and social isolation profiles and personal, social and environmental contexts.

scholarly journals Preliminary effects and acceptability of a co-produced physical activity referral intervention

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 869-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin JR Buckley ◽  
Dick HJ Thijssen ◽  
Rebecca C Murphy ◽  
Lee EF Graves ◽  
Greg Whyte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Complete Case ◽  
Definitive Trial ◽  
Psychological Measures ◽  
Exercise Referral

Objectives: To explore the preliminary effects and acceptability of a co-produced physical activity referral intervention. Study Design: Longitudinal design with data collected at baseline and post a 12-week physical activity referral intervention. Setting: Community leisure centre. Methods: In all, 32 adults with controlled lifestyle-related health conditions took part in a physical activity referral intervention (co-produced by a multidisciplinary stakeholder group) comprising 12 weeks subsidised fitness centre access plus four behaviour change consultations. A complete case analysis ( t-tests and magnitude-based inferences) was conducted to assess baseline-to-12-week change in physical activity, cardiometabolic, and psychological measures. Semi-structured interviews were conducted ( n = 12) to explore experiences of the intervention. Results: Mean improvements were observed in cardiorespiratory fitness (3.6 mL kg-1 min-1 [95% confidence interval: 1.9–5.4], p < .001) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (12.6 minutes per day [95% confidence interval: 4.3–29.6], p = .013). Participants were positive about the support received from exercise referral practitioners, but experienced some challenges in a busy and under staffed gym environment. Conclusions: A co-produced physical activity referral intervention elicited short-term improvements in physical activity and cardiometabolic health. Further refinements may be required, via ongoing feedback between stakeholders, researchers and service users, to achieve the intended holistic physical activity focus of the intervention, prior to a definitive trial.

Physical Activity and Environmental Influences during Secondary School Physical Education

2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bik C. Chow ◽  
Thomas L. McKenzie ◽  
Lobo Louie
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Movement Skills ◽  
Instruction Time ◽  
Trained Observers ◽  
The U.S

Physical activity engagement during physical education is important for many reasons, including developing physical fitness and movement skills and promoting health. Much more is known about physical activity in elementary than secondary schools. We examined physical activity and how it was influenced by instructor-related and environmental characteristics during 238 lessons taught by 65 physical education specialists in 30 randomly selected secondary schools in Hong Kong. Trained observers used SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time) in randomly selected grade 7–12 classes over a 6-month period. Results showed students engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) about 35% of lesson time, a level similar to that found in U.S. elementary schools and short of the U.S. Healthy People 2010 objective of 50% engagement time. Multiple regression analyses found that six potentially modifiable variables contributed to 35% of the variability in lesson MVPA percent.

scholarly journals Changing Health Behavior with Social Technology? A Pilot Test of a Mobile App Designed for Social Support of Physical Activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8383
Author(s):  
Anne Marie Kanstrup ◽  
Pernille Scholdan Bertelsen ◽  
Casper Knudsen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Pilot Test ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Individual Use

Mobile applications targeting people engaged in physical activity have increased. However, while research has identified social support as a key factor for people’s engagement in physical activity, most mobile health (mHealth) applications are designed for individual use. In this paper, we report on a research study exploring opportunities for designing mHealth to facilitate social support around physical activity. A mHealth application was designed, and pilot tested for eight weeks with healthcare professionals (n = 3) and two groups of citizens (n = 20) who were motivated but challenged physically due to various health conditions. Data was collected via online monitoring of the use of the mHealth application during the pilot test and via qualitative interviews with the participants before and after. The results support the idea that designing for social health support is important but so is identifying key challenges related to (i) the facilitation of technology-mediated social health support, especially to a target group that is living with health challenges, and (ii) finding a balance between social and health agendas that bring social support to the foreground for the participants.

The role of social support in physical activity for cancer survivors: A systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1945-1958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan H. McDonough ◽  
L. Jayne Beselt ◽  
Julia T. Daun ◽  
Jena Shank ◽  
S. Nicole Culos‐Reed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cancer Survivors

scholarly journals Breast cancer survivors’ preferences for social support features in technology-supported physical activity interventions: findings from a mixed methods evaluation

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 423-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian R Lloyd ◽  
Sara A Hoffman ◽  
Whitney A Welch ◽  
Danielle Blanch-Hartigan ◽  
Kara L Gavin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Message Board ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Social Features

Abstract Incorporating peer and professional social support features into remotely delivered, technology-supported physical activity interventions may increase their effectiveness. However, very little is known about survivors’ preferences for potential social features. This study explored breast cancer survivors’ preferences for both traditional (e.g., coaching calls and peer support) and innovative (i.e., message boards and competitions) social support features within remotely delivered, technology-supported physical activity interventions. Survivors [N = 96; Mage = 55.8 (SD = 10.2)] self-reported demographic and disease characteristics and physical activity. A subset (n = 28) completed semistructured phone interviews. Transcribed interviews were evaluated using a thematic content analysis approach and consensus review. Following interviews, the full sample self-reported preferences for social features for remotely delivered physical activity interventions via online questionnaires. Questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Four themes emerged from interview data: (a) technology increases social connectedness; (b) interest in professional involvement/support; (c) connecting with similar survivors; and (d) apprehension regarding competitive social features. Quantitative data indicated that most survivors were interested in social features including a coach (77.1 per cent), team (66.7 per cent), and exercise buddy (57.3 per cent). Survivors endorsed sharing their activity data with their team (80.0 per cent) and buddy (76.6 per cent), but opinions were mixed regarding a progress board ranking their activity in relation to other participants’ progress. Survivors were interested in using a message board to share strategies to increase activity (74.5 per cent) and motivational comments (73.4 per cent). Social features are of overall interest to breast cancer survivors, yet preferences for specific social support features varied. Engaging survivors in developing and implementing remotely delivered, technology-supported social features may enhance their effectiveness.

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