Maintaining long-term physical activity after cancer: a conceptual framework to inform intervention development

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Cancer Survivorship
• Public Health

Background:

• Long-term physical activity (PA) maintenance is crucial for cancer survivors' well-being.
• Existing interventions often lack a robust framework for sustained PA engagement.
• Understanding determinants of long-term PA is essential for effective intervention design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a conceptual framework for physical activity maintenance in cancer survivors.
• To identify determinants, behavior change techniques (BCTs), and mechanisms of action (MoA) for long-term PA.
• To inform the design of future interventions promoting sustained physical activity.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature reviews and qualitative interviews (N=27) with cancer survivors were conducted.
• A conceptual framework linking PA determinants to the Theoretical Domains Framework was developed.
• Behavior change techniques (BCTs) and proposed mechanisms of action (MoA) were identified and linked.

Main Results:

• A conceptual framework for long-term PA maintenance was established, considering non-modifiable factors and behavioral determinants.
• An inventory of 8 determinants for long-term PA engagement post-cancer was created.
• Clusters of BCTs and proposed MoAs were identified for testing in future trials.

Conclusions:

• Understanding PA maintenance processes in cancer survivors is key for intervention development.
• The framework provides implementable and testable intervention components and MoAs.
• This resource aids in selecting intervention strategies to support long-term PA for cancer survivors.