“Running with cancer”: a qualitative study to evaluate barriers and motivations in running for female oncological patients.

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Nowadays, it is widely acknowledged that low physical activity levels are associated with an increase in terms of both disease recurrence and mortality in cancer survivors. In this light, deciphering those factors able to hamper or facilitate an active lifestyle is crucial in order to increase patients’ adherence to physical activity. The purpose of this study was to explore barriers and motivations in a sample of female oncological patients, practising running using the ecological model and compare them with healthy controls. Focus group interviews were conducted at Verona University. Participants were 12 female cancer survivors and 7 matched healthy controls who had participated at “Run for Science” project. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis. Two main themes, motivations and barriers were found. About motivations, three sub-themes were identified: <jats:italic>personal, interpersonal and environmental/organizational factors</jats:italic>. Regarding barriers, another sub-theme was recognized: <jats:italic>community/policy factors</jats:italic>. Compare to healthy controls, survivors expressed motivations and barriers specifically related to their oncological disease. Running was a challenge with their cancer and a hope to give to other patients. Main barriers were represented by treatment-related side effects, inexperienced trainers and external factors, e.g. delivery of incorrect information. Running program dedicated to oncological patients should consider intrinsic obstacles, related to cancer and its treatment, offering a personalized intervention performed by qualified trainers, together with a motivational approach able to improve participants’ adherence to an active lifestyle.</jats:p>

Effectiveness of HIIT in patients with cancer or cancer survivors: An umbrella and mapping review with meta‐meta‐analysis

“…One of the main barriers described by patients to physical exercise is often lack of time. In relation to this, HIIT allows similar benefits to MICT, but involves less time 65 . In addition to being more time‐effective, it can have cost benefits by decreasing the treatment time of each patient.…”

“…Since patients with cancer or cancer survivors are prone to physical inactivity, it is critical to ensure adherence to maintain exercise long enough to achieve benefits in CRF or QoL. Safety is also an important factor of concern to both clinicians and patients themselves 65 . It has been shown to be a safe training since it has little or no adverse effects.…”

Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Cancer Patients During Oncological Treatments: A Qualitative Study

“…These results are consistent with previous studies. [16][17][18]20,24,28 Smith et al 16 reported that patients described physical activity as positive behavior for general health, to manage some treatment-related side effects and other chronic conditions (eg, cardiovascular disease). Older breast cancer survivors mentioned that an active lifestyle help to reduce the stress levels and combat depression.…”

“…Unfortunately, in Italy, the literature on physical activity and cancer is still limited, with no clear data regarding the adherence to a physical activity program. 13 Although several investigations have explored attitude, barriers, motivators, and facilitators able to influence the adoption of physical activity in oncological settings, [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] no data on Italian patients are available. In order to fill this gap and to successfully design a future interventional study, we have qualitatively explored those factors influencing the adoption of an active lifestyle in cancer patients visiting the outpatients' facilities at the Oncology Unit in Verona Hospital.…”