Physical activity (PA) is important for well-being and coping among cancer survivors. Social support (SS) encourages adoption and maintenance of PA behaviour, and PA contexts can provide opportunities for obtaining support for coping with cancer. The qualitative literature examining cancer survivors' experience with SS in and for PA could inform understanding of behaviors experienced as supportive. The purpose of this meta-study was to synthesize the research on adult cancer survivors' experiences with SS related to PA.Methods: Following meta-study guidelines, we searched nine databases and retrieved 39 articles describing intervention and observation studies, and extracted, analyzed, and synthesized information addressing SS and PA in cancer survivors.Results: Results emphasized ways that PA contexts facilitate relationships, which are a foundation for obtaining supportive behaviours that enable PA (e.g., providing encouragement and accountability) and assist with coping with cancer (e.g., understanding and talking about cancer). Some themes identified were unique to studies with female breast cancer, advanced cancer, interventions or programs, and that used interviews versus focus groups. Conclusions: Understanding supportive behaviours could improve PA and coping with cancer in interventions.Future research should focus on identifying supportive behaviours, incorporating theory and methods to address the development of supportive relationships, and recruiting more diverse samples of participants in terms of gender, race/ethnicity, and cancer type.Implications for cancer survivors: PA can provide opportunities for positive social connections ranging from loose to close social ties, and this research identifies several behaviours in the PA context that may be supportive of PA behavior (e.g., providing actionable information), and coping with cancer (e.g., opportunities but low obligation to talk about cancer).

Objective: Social support is conceptualized and operationalized in many ways, making it challenging to understand what types of support best predict physical activity (PA) in cancer survivors. This review examined associations between social support and PA among cancer survivors. Methods:Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched eight databases for studies that reported an association between social support and PA among adult cancer survivors. We conducted an appraisal and a narrative synthesis of the findings from quantitative studies.Results: Fifty studies representing 28 366 participants were included. Studies collectively included concepts addressing the presence of relationships, others' PA behavior, perceptions of being supported, and function/quality. Findings were mixed in suggesting a positive or null association with PA. Conclusions:While results are not definitive, this review takes a step toward mapping the social support literature in PA for cancer survivors. Limitations include the homogeneity of the participants in extant studies, and the secondary focus on testing the effects of social support on outcomes. Future research systematically testing the effects of social support is important for facilitating PA in this population.

This study assessed the feasibility and benefits of high intensity interval training (HIIT) plus lifestyle education among inactive adults with celiac disease. 41 participants were randomized to receive the intervention (HIIT+) for 12-weeks or waitlist control (WLC). Testing was completed at baseline, immediately post- and 3-months post-intervention. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess changes in the outcome variables over time between the groups. Mean percent of age-predicted maximum heart rate was 97.9% and average rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was 6.33 (out of 10) during HIIT intervals. Following the intervention, the HIIT+ group showed enrichment in relative abundance of Parabacteroides and Defluviitaleaceae_UCG¬_011 while WLC showed enrichment in relative abundance of Roseburia intestinalis, Klebsiella and Adlercreutzia. A unique set of taxa were differentially abundant between the groups at 3-months post-intervention. HIIT+ participants experienced a reduction in resting heart rate (-6.6 bpm) immediately post-intervention compared to WLC. Further research is needed to establish an optimal HIIT protocol that may improve VO2max and metabolic syndrome biomarkers. Findings from this pilot study provide preliminary evidence that a HIIT+ intervention is feasible for inactive adults with celiac disease and leads to favourable changes in resting HR alongside potentially beneficial shifts in gut microbiota. Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03520244 Novelty • High intensity interval training leads to potentially beneficial changes in the gut microbiota of adults with celiac disease. • A high intensity interval training exercise intervention is feasible and well tolerated for patients with celiac disease.

No abstract

Background: Individuals with celiac disease must follow a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) in order to avoid negative short-and long-term health consequences. Unfortunately, many people with celiac disease report poor quality of life (QoL) despite following a strict GFD, and up to 30% still report negative symptoms (eg, gastrointestinal upset). Purpose: The purpose of the MOVE-C (understanding the relationship between the MicrobiOme, Vitality, and Exercise in Celiac disease) pilot study is to explore the effects of a 12-week supervised progressive high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and lifestyle intervention on physiological, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes among inactive adults with celiac disease. Methods/Design: Sixty inactive adults diagnosed with celiac disease will be randomized to HIITþ or waitlist control (WLC). Participants in the HIITþ will engage in a 12-week HIIT þ lifestyle education program. HIIT sessions will be comprised of 2 workouts per week, working up to 14 Â 30-second intervals at 90% maximal heart rate (HRmax) followed by 2 minutes recovery at 50% HRmax. The 6 biweekly lifestyle sessions will involve education on the promotion of a whole foods GFD, sleep hygiene, psychosocial coping skills (eg, self-compassion), and self-regulatory skills to master changes in behaviors. Assessments will occur at pre and post 12-week intervention and 3-month follow-up. WLC participants will be offered a 12-week HIIT program þ online lifestyle education sessions after completing the final assessment. The primary outcomes are QoL and gut microbiota composition assessed with 16S rRNA sequencing. The secondary outcomes are markers of metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, fasting glucose, serum lipids, blood pressure, and body composition), gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep quality, adherence to a GFD, exercise behavior, self-regulatory efficacy, and self-compassion. It is hypothesized that participants in the HIITþ will experience improvements in all outcomes when compared to those in the WLC. These improvements are expected to be maintained at the 3-month follow-up. Discussion: The findings from this study will advance the knowledge regarding the effects of HIIT and lifestyle education on key outcomes for an at-risk chronic disease population. Furthermore, the findings can be used to inform future programs to improve fitness and physical and mental health outcomes for people with celiac disease.

No abstract