Factors associated with programme completion and physical activity adherence in a community-based cancer exercise...

Regular physical activity improves quality of life in cancer patients, yet adherence to guidelines remains low. Community-based exercise programmes offer scalable solutions, but determinants of programme completion and engagement are underexplored.

This study evaluated factors associated with completion of a 12-session community-based cancer exercise programme. It also examined factors related to achieving ≥ 150 min of weekly physical activity following programme completion, considering sociodemographic characteristics, cancer type, prior exercise history, and referral pathway.

Data from 918 cancer patients enrolled in the programme were analysed. Associations between age, gender, ethnicity, education, housing status, referral location, referrer type, prior exercise history, and cancer type with programme completion and post-programme physical activity levels were examined using chi-squared tests and logistic regression.

Participants from multiple ethnic backgrounds had higher odds of completing the 12-session programme compared with White participants (OR = 2.529, 95% CI 1.217-5.259, p = .013). Asian participants had lower odds of meeting physical activity guidelines of ≥ 150 min per week (OR = 0.532, 95% CI 0.294-0.965, p = .038). Achieving ≥ 150 min of weekly physical activity was positively associated with higher education (OR = 1.862, p < .001), homeownership (OR = 0.177, p < .001), self-referral (OR = 1.875, p = .035), referral from Barnet (OR = 2.410, p = .002) or Islington & Camden (OR = 2.425, p < .001), female gender (OR = 1.650, p = .004), and age ≥ 72 years (OR = 2.494, p = .002). Non-homeownership was the strongest negative factor associated with not reaching the ≥ 150-min physical activity guideline (p < .001).

Ethnicity was the only factor significantly associated with programme completion. In contrast, multiple factors, particularly non-homeownership, strongly influenced achieving recommended activity levels post-programme. These findings suggest the potential importance of social and environmental factors in shaping engagement and sustained physical activity in community cancer exercise programmes. Addressing these factors may improve participation, inclusivity, and long-term health outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer.