Correlates of physical activity among rural Australian cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to identify correlates of physical activity (PA) among rural Australian cancer survivors.

A cross-sectional study was undertaken. We recruited a convenience sample of adults diagnosed with any cancer type who received care at a rural hospital in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, between August 2017 and December 2021. PA was measured using the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time PA Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ). Correlates of sufficient PA (total GSLTPAQ score ≥ 14), any mild PA (item-specific GSLTPAQ score > 0), and any PA (item-specific GSLTPAQ score > 0 for one or more intensities: mild, moderate and/or strenuous) were identified via binary logistic regression.

There were 103 participants with a median age of 66 years. Among them, 35% had sufficient PA, 62% had any mild PA, and 64% had any PA. Obesity was associated with lower odds of sufficient PA (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.07-0.61), any mild PA (aOR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.10-0.66), and any PA (aOR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.10-0.64). Fatigue was associated with lower odds of sufficient PA (aOR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.11-0.83) but not with any mild PA or any PA. Breast cancer survivors had lower odds of any mild PA (aOR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.08-0.87) but not of any PA or sufficient PA.

This study identified levels and correlates of PA among rural Australian cancer survivors. While further research is warranted, our results suggest considerable scope for exercise oncology interventions in a rural region of Australia. Exercise interventions for cancer survivors in this and similar rural settings could be tailored to and targeted towards those with obesity, fatigue, and/or breast cancer.