ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Physical activity benefits cancer survivors, but the comparative effectiveness of a team-based delivery approach remains unexplored. The hypothesis tested was that a team-based physical activity intervention delivery approach has added physical and psychological benefits compared to a group-based approach. A team-based sport accessible to survivors is dragon boating, which requires no previous experience and allows for diverse skill levels. METHODS: In a non-randomized trial, cancer survivors chose between two similarly structured 8-week programs, a dragon boat paddling team (n = 68) or group-based walking program (n = 52). Three separate intervention rounds were carried out in 2007-2008. Pre-post testing measured physical and psychosocial outcomes. RESULTS: Compared to walkers, paddlers had significantly greater (all p < 0.01) team cohesion, program adherence/attendance, and increased upper-body strength. For quality-of-life outcomes, both interventions were associated with pre-post improvements, but with no clear-cut pattern of between-intervention differences. CONCLUSIONS: These hypothesis-generating findings suggest that a short-term, team-based physical activity program (dragon boat paddling) was associated with increased cohesion and adherence/attendance. Improvements in physical fitness and psychosocial benefits were comparable to a traditional, group-based walking program. Compared to a group-based intervention delivery format, the team-based intervention delivery format holds promise for promoting physical activity program adherence/attendance in cancer survivors.
Subject(s)
Exercise Therapy/methods , Group Processes , Neoplasms/rehabilitation , Ships , Survivors , Walking/physiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Quality of Life , Regression Analysis , South Carolina , Statistics, Nonparametric , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Physical activity programs have health benefits for cancer survivors, but little is known about factors that influence cancer survivors' actual choices between different physical activity programs. To address this knowledge gap, we examined factors associated with selecting between two group physical activity programs. METHODS: The present study is nested in a non-randomized trial. After attending an orientation to learn about the programs offered, cancer survivors (n=133) selected between a dragon boat paddling team and group walking program. We measured the association between physical activity program chosen and demographic, clinical, physical and psychosocial characteristics. RESULTS: Roughly equal proportions chose to participate in dragon boat paddling or walking (55% versus 45%). Of the many variables studied, few were associated with program selection. Compared to those who chose the walking program, those who chose the dragon boat paddling team were more likely to be Caucasians (p= .015) and younger (p= .027), and marginally significantly more like to have cancers other than breast cancer (p= .056) and have greater lower-body strength (.062). DISCUSSIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Among a cohort of cancer survivors who were interested in physical activity programs who chose between two markedly different group physical activity programs, the two programs attracted groups of approximately the same size and with remarkably similar characteristics overall. The two most notable associations were that Caucasians and younger adults were significantly more likely to choose the dragon boat paddling program. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: To meet the needs of cancer survivors, a menu of physical activity program options may be optimal.
