Strategies to promote regular exercise in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer are at increased risk for current and future health problems and premature death. Given the known risks for increased mortality and morbidity, fostering the development of exercise behaviors that may target the specific late effects experienced by AYA cancer survivors is crucial for healthy aging. Exercise is particularly important in the mitigation of late effects as it alters metabolic pathways that ultimately influence the development of chronic diseases associated with cancer treatment in AYAs. Despite the importance of exercise, a large proportion of AYA survivors do not meet recommended guidelines for exercise. The current review summarizes the beneficial effects of exercise in AYA survivors, evaluates strategies utilized in interventions that have been developed to address exercise engagement, and provides recommendations for psychosocial strategies on how to improve these behaviors in this population. A total of nine empirical articles examining exercise interventions in AYAs with a history of cancer were included for review. While several exercise strategies appear promising, more research is needed to evaluate long-term influence of strategies on exercise engagement, as well as the interactions these strategies have on AYA exercise maintenance and health outcomes as they continue into adulthood. Future interventions should evaluate key psychosocial strategies to increase both short-and long-term exercise adherence as well as overall health benefits.

Effects of a structured counselling-based intervention to improve physical activity behaviour of adolescents and young adult cancer survivors – the randomized phase II Motivate AYA – MAYA trial

“…Several reviews have confirmed the importance of developing strategies to promote physical activity and health behaviour changes in young cancer survivors. 1 , 2 The positive impact of vigorous physical activity on the risk for cardiovascular events was documented in reports from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. 3 – 5 Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivors who regularly underwent vigorous exercise of ⩾9 metabolic equivalent (MET)-hours per week had a significantly lower risk of treatment-related cardiovascular events than survivors who did not meet the physical activity guidelines.…”

Assessing the Influence of Nutrition Education among Adolescent Girls (13-16 Years)

“…The higher physical activity is associated with better health-related quality of life across the domains of physical social and cognitive functioning in adolescents. 2 School-based nutrition education research studies were based primarily on a knowledge-attitude-behavior approach, while disease reduction/health enhancement studies were behaviorally oriented and generally based on social learning theory. Likewise, previous research nutrition and education are closely interlinked.…”