Abstract
Preliminary Testing Of A Novel Exercise Instrument For Rural Cancer Survivors: 1313
Medicine and science in sports and exercise, Vol.57(10S), pp.392-392
10/2025
DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0001157992.44960.ad
Abstract
PURPOSE: There are over 172,000 cancer survivors in the state of Iowa, of which 40% are rural. Cancer survivors face latent and long-term treatment side-effects that can impact exercise participation. Rural survivors have lower exercise rates and face greater disease burden and barriers to health care. Current survey tools have limited capacity to assess exercise and health behaviors in rural cancer survivors. Therefore, we aimed to deploy a newly developed survey as a preliminary exploration of participation in and perceived barriers to exercise.
METHODS: Recruitment was through the institution’s universal consent. Eligible participants were aged 18-84 years diagnosed with breast, lung, prostate, or colorectal cancer in the last 5 years, and residents in rural counties. Based on content expert specification and end user engagement, we developed a secure web survey to assess physical activity and barriers to exercise during and after cancer treatment. We summarize survey data using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS: Of 100 individuals contacted for the initial round of survey refinement, 33 responded to the survey, of whom 3 did not meet cancer criteria, and 16 reported living in urban areas, thus a total of 14 individuals were included in analysis. Breast cancer was most common (n = 5), followed by prostate (n = 4), colorectal (n = 3), and lung (n = 2). Weekly minutes of light intensity aerobic exercise were highest (177.0 ± 253.6), followed by moderate (110.4 ± 134.0), resistance exercise (21.0 ± 37.6), and vigorous aerobic (10.0 ± 26.6). Overall, for aerobic exercise, 42.9% (n = 6) of individuals met the physical activity guidelines for Americans, and for resistance exercise 7.1% (n = 1). The most common barrier to exercise was physical side effects (n = 4 for both pre- and post-treatment), followed by lack of awareness of available exercise programs (pre-treatment n = 4, post-treatment n = 3), and time (n = 3 for both).
CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings reveal predominantly light intensity, low moderate or vigorous aerobic, and resistance exercise levels in rural cancer survivors, with side effects and limited awareness of exercise programs identified as major barriers to exercise participation. Further survey optimization includes improving question specificity and broader deployment to more rural cancer survivors.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Preliminary Testing Of A Novel Exercise Instrument For Rural Cancer Survivors: 1313
- Creators
- Caleb F. Brandner - University of IowaPatrick B. Barlow - University of IowaAndrea Babcock - University of IowaSarah H. Nash - University of IowaWhitney E. Zahnd - University of IowaMary A. Kennedy - Edith Cowan UniversityJessica Gorzelitz - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Publication Details
- Medicine and science in sports and exercise, Vol.57(10S), pp.392-392
- DOI
- 10.1249/01.mss.0001157992.44960.ad
- ISSN
- 0195-9131
- eISSN
- 1530-0315
- Publisher
- LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
- Number of pages
- 1
- Grant note
- UI Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Oberly Pilot Award
Supported by: UI Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Oberly Pilot Award (PI Gorzelitz).
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/2025
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy; ICTS; Epidemiology; Center for Social Science Innovation; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Office of Consultation and Research in Medical Education; General Internal Medicine; Community and Behavioral Health; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology ; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984963628202771
Metrics
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