Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Impact of a Combined Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Program on Motivational Variables in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Short term exercise interventions have been shown to be beneficial for breast cancer survivors soon after treatments but longer term adherence is needed.

Purpose

To examine the effects of a supervised exercise program on motivational variables in breast cancer survivors using Self-Determination Theory (SDT).

Method

Sixty breast cancer survivors were randomized in a cross-over design to either an immediate exercise group (IEG; n = 30) that exercised from baseline to week 12 or a delayed exercise group (DEG; n = 30) that exercised from week 12 to 24. SDT variables were assessed at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks using the Behavioral Regulation for Exercise Questionniare-2 and the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale.

Results

Fifty-eight participants completed the follow-up assessments and achieved a 61.3% adherence rate. Analyses of variance revealed significant time by group interactions for almost all psychological needs and motivations that favored the exercise intervention time periods. For example, autonomy increased in the IEG from baseline to 12 weeks by 2.0 points compared to the DEG where scores decreased by 0.1 points (mean group difference = 2.0, p < 0.001). The cross-over results further supported the main findings.

Conclusion

Supervised exercise soon after breast cancer treatments may help to develop a positive exercise motivational profile among breast cancer survivors that could portend longer term adherence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Conn V, Hafdahl AR, Porock DC, McDaniel R, Nielsen PS. A meta-analysis of exercise intervention among people treated for cancer. Support Care Cancer. 2006; 14: 699–712.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Humpel N, Iverson DC. Review and critique of the quality of exercise recommendations for cancer patients and survivors. Support Care Cancer. 2005; 13: 493–502.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Knols R, Aaronson NK, Uebelhart D, Fransen J, Aufdemkampe G. Physical exercise in cancer patients during and after medical treatment: A systematic review of randomized and controlled clinical trials. J Clin Oncol. 2005; 23: 3830–3842.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. McNeely ML, Campbell KL, Rowe BH. Effects of exercise on breast cancer patients and survivors; a systematic review and meta-analysis. Can Med Assoc J. 2006; 175: 34–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Courneya KS, Karvinen KH, Vallance JKH. Exercise motivation and behavior change. In: Feuerstein M, ed. Handbook of cancer survivorship. New York, NY: Springer; 2007: 113–132.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  6. Milne HM, Gordon S, Guilfolye A, Wallman K, Courneya KS. Association between physical activity and quality of life among Western Australian breast cancer survivors. Psychooncology. 2007; 16: 1059–1068.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Milne HM, Wallman KE, Gordon S, Courneya KC. Effects of a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008; 108: 279–288.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Milne HM, Wallman K, Guilfolye A, Gordon S, Courneya KS. Self-Determination Theory and physical activity among breast cancer survivors. J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2008; 30: 23–38.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Peddle CJ, Plotnikoff RC, Wild TC, Au H-J, Courneya KS. Medical, demographic, and psychosocial correlates of exercise in colorectal cancer survivors: An application of self-determination theory. Support Care Cancer. 2008; 16: 9–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Wilson PM, Blanchard CM, Nehl E, Baker F. Predicting physical activity and outcome expectations in cancer survivors: An application of Self-determination Theory. Psychooncology. 2006; 15: 567–578.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Williams GC, Freedman ZR, Deci EL. Supporting autonomy to motivate glucose control in patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 1998; 21: 1644–1651.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Williams GC, Grow VM, Freedman Z, Ryan RM, Deci EL. Motivational predictions of weight loss and weight-loss maintenance. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1996; 70: 115–126.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Williams GC, McGregor HA, Sharp DS, et al. Testing a Self-determination Theory intervention for motivating tobacco cessation: Supporting autonomy and competence in a clinical trial. Health Psychol. 2006; 25: 91–101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Williams GC, McGregor HA, Sharp DS, et al. A self-determination multiple risk intervention trial to improve smokers health. J Gen Intern Med. 2006; 21: 1288–1294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Ryan RM, Deci EL. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well being. Am Psychol. 2000; 55: 68–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. White RW. Ego and reality in psychoanalytic theory. New York: International Universities Press; 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Deci EL, Ryan RM. Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behaviour. New York, NY: Plenum; 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Vallerand RJ, Fortier MS. Measures of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in sport and physical activity: A review and critique. In: Duda JL, ed. Advances in sport and exercise psychology measurement. Morgantown, WV: Fitness Information Technology; 1998: 81–101.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Wilson PM, Rodgers WM, Blanchard CM, Gessell J. The relationship between psychological needs, self-determined motivation, exercise attitudes, and physical fitness. J Appl Soc Psychol. 2003; 33: 2373–2392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Deci EL, Ryan RM. A motivational approach to self: Integration in personality. In: Dienstbier R, ed. Nebraska Symposium on Motivation: Vol 38. Perspectives on motivation. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press; 1991: 237–288.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Wilson PM, Rodgers WM, Fraser SN, Murray TC. Relationships between exercise regulations and motivational consequences in university students. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2004; 75: 81–91.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Courneya KS, Jones LW, Mackey JR Fairey AS. Exercise beliefs of breast cancer survivors before and after participation in a randomized controlled trial. Int J Behav Med. 2006; 13: 259–264.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, PAR-Q and you. Gloucester, Ontario: Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology; 1994.

  24. McArdle W, Katch F, Katch V. Exercise physiology Energy, Nutrition & Human Performance. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, USA; 2001: 490.

  25. Markland D, Tobin VA. Modification to the behavioral regulation in exercise questionnaire to include an assessment of amotivation. J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2004; 26: 191–196.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Mullan E, Markland D, Ingledew DK. A graded conceptualization of self-determination in the regulation of exercise behavior: Development of a measure using confirmatory factor analytic procedures. Pers Indiv Differ. 1997; 23: 745–752.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Wilson PM, Rodgers WM. The relationship between perceived autonomy support, exercise regulations and behavioral intention in women. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2004; 5: 229–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Wilson PM, Rodgers WM, Fraser SM. Examining the psychometric properties of the behavioral regulation in exercise questionnaire. Meas Phys Educ Exerc Sci. 2002; 6: 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Cronbach LJ. Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika. 1951; 16: 297–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Baard PP, Deci EL, Ryan RM. Intrinsic need satisfaction. A motivation basis of performance and well being in two work settings. J of Appl Soc Psychol. 2004; 34: 2045–2068.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Mullan E, Markland D. Variations in self-determination across the stages of change for exercise in adults. Motiv Emotion. 1997; 21: 349–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Azjen I. The Theory of Planned Behavior. Org Behav Human Decis Process. 1991; 50: 179–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Kowal J, Fortier MS. Testing the relationships from the hierarchical model of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation using flow as a motivational consequence. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2000; 71: 171–181.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Kernis MH, Paradise AW, Whitaker DJ, Wheatman SR, Goldman BN. Master of one’s psychological domain? Not likely if one’s self-esteem is unstable. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2000; 26: 297–1305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Prochaska JO, Velicer WF, Rossi JS, et al. Stages of change and decisional balance for 12 problem behaviors. Health Psychol. 1994; 13: 39–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, M408, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Helen M. Milne Ph.D., Karen E. Wallman Ph.D. & Sandy Gordon Ph.D.

  2. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, 114 St-89 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2H9, Canada

    Kerry S. Courneya Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Helen M. Milne Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Karen E. Wallman Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sandy Gordon Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kerry S. Courneya Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Helen M. Milne Ph.D..

Additional information

Authors’ Notes: Kerry S. Courneya is supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program and a Research Team Grant from the National Cancer Institute of Canada with funds from the Canadian Cancer Society and the NCIC/CCS Sociobehavioral Cancer Research Network.

About this article

Cite this article

Milne, H.M., Wallman, K.E., Gordon, S. et al. Impact of a Combined Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Program on Motivational Variables in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial. ann. behav. med. 36, 158–166 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9059-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9059-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation