Longitudinal Profiles and Predictors of Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors Post-Exercise Intervention: A 5-Year Follow-Up of the Phys-Can RCT

Background: Regular physical activity improves health outcomes in cancer survivors; however, maintaining recommended levels of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) post-treatment is challenging, even for those participating in exercise intervention studies. Understanding long-term...

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Main Authors: Anna-Karin Ax PhD, Andreas Stenling PhD, Sveinung Berntsen PhD, Sussanne Börjeson PhD, Karin Nordin PhD, Ingrid Demmelmaier PhD, Anne-Sophie Mazzoni PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-08-01
Series:Integrative Cancer Therapies
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354251362447
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author Anna-Karin Ax PhD
Andreas Stenling PhD
Sveinung Berntsen PhD
Sussanne Börjeson PhD
Karin Nordin PhD
Ingrid Demmelmaier PhD
Anne-Sophie Mazzoni PhD
author_facet Anna-Karin Ax PhD
Andreas Stenling PhD
Sveinung Berntsen PhD
Sussanne Börjeson PhD
Karin Nordin PhD
Ingrid Demmelmaier PhD
Anne-Sophie Mazzoni PhD
author_sort Anna-Karin Ax PhD
collection DOAJ
description Background: Regular physical activity improves health outcomes in cancer survivors; however, maintaining recommended levels of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) post-treatment is challenging, even for those participating in exercise intervention studies. Understanding long-term MVPA patterns and predictors can guide strategies to promote sustained physical activity in this population. We aimed to describe objectively measured MVPA-profiles over 5 years in cancer survivors who participated in a 6-month exercise intervention during cancer treatment, and to identify baseline predictors of profile belonging. Methods: Data were derived from the multicenter randomized controlled trial Phys-Can, including participants with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer. Objective measures of MVPA were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at 1-, 2-, and 5-year follow-ups. Longitudinal latent profile analysis was used to identify MVPA profiles, and multinomial logistic regression to examine potential baseline predictors of profile belonging. Results: Among 556 participants, 4 longitudinal MVPA profiles were identified: Low and stable (18.0%), Medium and stable (40.8%), High and decreasing (28.4%), and Very high and stable (12.8%). Compared to the Very high and stable MVPA profile, participants in the Low and stable MVPA profile were more likely to be women (OR = 20.64) or have higher BMI (OR = 1.41) or lower cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 0.69) at baseline. Conclusion: Cancer survivors who are women or have a higher BMI and/or low cardiorespiratory fitness prior to cancer treatment are at greater risk of maintaining low MVPA levels over time. These groups may require targeted support to enhance and sustain physical activity during survivorship.
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spelling doaj-art-0b434598081d4d14a44dedbecfcfd2b72025-08-20T04:02:22ZengSAGE PublishingIntegrative Cancer Therapies1552-695X2025-08-012410.1177/15347354251362447Longitudinal Profiles and Predictors of Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors Post-Exercise Intervention: A 5-Year Follow-Up of the Phys-Can RCTAnna-Karin Ax PhD0Andreas Stenling PhD1Sveinung Berntsen PhD2Sussanne Börjeson PhD3Karin Nordin PhD4Ingrid Demmelmaier PhD5Anne-Sophie Mazzoni PhD6Linköping University, SwedenUniversity of Agder, Kristiansand, NorwayUniversity of Agder, Kristiansand, NorwayLinköping University, SwedenUppsala University, SwedenUppsala University, SwedenUppsala University, SwedenBackground: Regular physical activity improves health outcomes in cancer survivors; however, maintaining recommended levels of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) post-treatment is challenging, even for those participating in exercise intervention studies. Understanding long-term MVPA patterns and predictors can guide strategies to promote sustained physical activity in this population. We aimed to describe objectively measured MVPA-profiles over 5 years in cancer survivors who participated in a 6-month exercise intervention during cancer treatment, and to identify baseline predictors of profile belonging. Methods: Data were derived from the multicenter randomized controlled trial Phys-Can, including participants with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer. Objective measures of MVPA were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at 1-, 2-, and 5-year follow-ups. Longitudinal latent profile analysis was used to identify MVPA profiles, and multinomial logistic regression to examine potential baseline predictors of profile belonging. Results: Among 556 participants, 4 longitudinal MVPA profiles were identified: Low and stable (18.0%), Medium and stable (40.8%), High and decreasing (28.4%), and Very high and stable (12.8%). Compared to the Very high and stable MVPA profile, participants in the Low and stable MVPA profile were more likely to be women (OR = 20.64) or have higher BMI (OR = 1.41) or lower cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 0.69) at baseline. Conclusion: Cancer survivors who are women or have a higher BMI and/or low cardiorespiratory fitness prior to cancer treatment are at greater risk of maintaining low MVPA levels over time. These groups may require targeted support to enhance and sustain physical activity during survivorship.https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354251362447
spellingShingle Anna-Karin Ax PhD
Andreas Stenling PhD
Sveinung Berntsen PhD
Sussanne Börjeson PhD
Karin Nordin PhD
Ingrid Demmelmaier PhD
Anne-Sophie Mazzoni PhD
Longitudinal Profiles and Predictors of Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors Post-Exercise Intervention: A 5-Year Follow-Up of the Phys-Can RCT
Integrative Cancer Therapies
title Longitudinal Profiles and Predictors of Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors Post-Exercise Intervention: A 5-Year Follow-Up of the Phys-Can RCT
title_full Longitudinal Profiles and Predictors of Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors Post-Exercise Intervention: A 5-Year Follow-Up of the Phys-Can RCT
title_fullStr Longitudinal Profiles and Predictors of Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors Post-Exercise Intervention: A 5-Year Follow-Up of the Phys-Can RCT
title_full_unstemmed Longitudinal Profiles and Predictors of Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors Post-Exercise Intervention: A 5-Year Follow-Up of the Phys-Can RCT
title_short Longitudinal Profiles and Predictors of Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors Post-Exercise Intervention: A 5-Year Follow-Up of the Phys-Can RCT
title_sort longitudinal profiles and predictors of physical activity in cancer survivors post exercise intervention a 5 year follow up of the phys can rct
url https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354251362447
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