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Higher-intensity exercise helps cancer survivors remain motivated

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to determine if exercise intensity impacts upon the psychosocial responses of breast and prostate cancer survivors to a rehabilitation program.

Methods

Eighty-seven prostate and 72 breast cancer survivors participated in an 8-week exercise and supportive group psychotherapy intervention (n = 84) or control (n = 75) group. Intervention participants were randomized to low-to-moderate intensity exercise (LIG; n = 44; 60–65 % VO2peak, 50–65 % one repetition maximum (1RM)) or moderate-to-high intensity exercise (HIG; n = 40; 75–80 % VO2peak, 65–80 % 1RM) while controls continued usual care. Before and after the 8 weeks, all participants completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast or -Prostate to assess quality of life (QOL) and Behavioural Regulations of Exercise Version 2 for exercise motivation. Intervention participants also completed a follow-up assessment 4 months post-intervention.

Results

All three groups improved in QOL from baseline to post-intervention, with no significant differences. From post-intervention to follow-up, the LIG and HIG similarly maintained QOL scores. Between baseline and post-intervention, both intervention arms improved their motivation to exercise compared to the controls (p = 0.004). At the 4-month follow-up, the HIG had maintained their overall exercise motivation (p < 0.001) and both domains of intrinsic motivation (identified regulation, p = 0.047; intrinsic regulation, p = 0.007); however, the LIG had regressed.

Conclusions

The structured intervention was successful at improving autonomous exercise motivation, regardless of exercise intensity. However, only those participants who had exercised at a higher intensity sustained their improvement. Intervention participation did not improve QOL more than controls.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Higher-intensity exercise is more likely to result in more sustainable increases in motivation to exercise among cancer survivors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, California State University—Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA, USA

    Eric Martin

  2. School of Health Sciences, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Australia

    Eric Martin

  3. Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Claudio Battaglini

  4. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Claudio Battaglini

  5. Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Australia

    Beth Hands

  6. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Fiona L. Naumann

  7. 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA, 93955, USA

    Eric Martin

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  1. Eric Martin
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  2. Claudio Battaglini
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  4. Fiona L. Naumann
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Correspondence to Eric Martin.

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Funding

This study was funded by Hospital Benefits Fund of Western Australia and Sports Medicine Australia.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Martin, E., Battaglini, C., Hands, B. et al. Higher-intensity exercise helps cancer survivors remain motivated. J Cancer Surviv 10, 524–533 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-015-0498-z

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