Psychological correlates of physical activity and exercise preferences in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan cancer survivors

Abstract

Objective Interventions to increase physical activity (PA) in cancer survivors have often adopted a “one‐size‐fits‐all” approach and may benefit from being tailored to psychological constructs associated with behavior. The study objective was to investigate the exercise preferences and psychological constructs related to PA among cancer survivors. Methods Posttreatment colorectal, endometrial, and breast cancer survivors (n = 183) living in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas completed survey measures of PA, exercise preferences, attitudes, self‐efficacy, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intention toward PA. Results A structural equation model with adequate fit and quality indices revealed that instrumental attitude and self‐efficacy were related to PA intention. Intention was related to behavior and mediated the relationship between self‐efficacy and behavior. Preferred exercise intensity was related to self‐efficacy, PBC, attitudes, and intention, while preferred exercise company was related to self‐efficacy and PBC. Participants preferred moderate‐intensity PA (71%), specifically self‐paced (52%) walking (65%) in an outdoor environment (58%). Conclusions Since instrumental attitude and self‐efficacy were associated with PA, incorporating persuasive communications targeting attitudes in PA interventions may promote PA participation. As cancer survivors who prefer low‐intensity exercise and exercising with others report lower self‐efficacy and PBC, interventions targeting confidence and successful experience in this group may also be warranted.

Predicting physical activity change in cancer survivors: an application of the Health Action Process Approach

“…Such findings contrast with metaanalyses that reveal affective attitudes as a better predictor of behavior in the general population [31,32]. Recent work in cancer survivors also found instrumental attitude, which is closely linked with risk perceptions but not affective attitude predicted PA intention [33]. The perceived health benefits of PA encompassed by instrumental attitudes, similar to risk perceptions, may be more important in intention formation in clinical populations compared to nonclinical counterparts.…”

Experiences and Facilitators of Physical Activity Engagement: The Wearable Activity Technology and Action-Planning (WATAAP) Trial

“…However, contrary to previous ndings [8], a lack of enjoyment did not typify those that did not increase MVPA, nor did enjoyment play a key role in exercise maintenance. Previous research has similarly found that instrumental attitude, but not affective attitude, predicted PA intention in cancer survivors [23,24] while other research supports relations between affective attitudes, and PA participation [25,26].…”

The promoting physical activity in regional and remote cancer survivors (PPARCS) trial: Physical activity maintenance

“…Remotely delivered interventions using wearables such as PPARCS are attractive because they integrate BCTs that demonstrate promise in the maintenance of PA (e.g., self‐monitoring of behavior and feedback on performance), tend to be of a lower‐intensity (i.e., less contact time), and thus are more scalable. Remotely‐delivered PA interventions using wearables also align with survivor preferences for monitoring/accountability as a source of motivation 8,9 and exercise preferences for walking 10,11 and unsupervised PA 12 …”