Do Hematologic Cancer Survivors Differ from Others in Their Adherence to Physical Activity Guidelines? An Analysis of the 2017-2018 NHIS

Claire L. McCann^1, , Moya L. Alfonso¹, Steven Hecht² and Sara Knox³

¹Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314-7796, USA

²Abraham S. Fischler College of Education, Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314-7796, USA

³College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 151 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29407, USA

Cite this paper:
Claire L. McCann, Moya L. Alfonso, Steven Hecht and Sara Knox. Do Hematologic Cancer Survivors Differ from Others in Their Adherence to Physical Activity Guidelines? An Analysis of the 2017-2018 NHIS. Journal of Physical Activity Research. 2023; 8(1):32-39. doi: 10.12691/jpar-8-1-6

Abstract

Fewer cancer survivors adhere to physical activity guidelines than the general US population. A preliminary study indicated that adherence to physical activity guidelines may be lower among hematologic cancer survivors than other cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to describe U.S. hematologic cancer survivor adherence to ACSM’s physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors between 2017-2018 and to determine whether there is a difference in adherence to the guidelines for hematologic cancer survivors compared to other cancer survivors. A secondary analysis of the 2017 and 2018 National Health Interview Survey was performed. Participants were cancer survivors aged 18 or older. Descriptive statistics were completed for participants’ characteristics and adherence to the aerobic, strength, and combined (aerobic and strength) physical activity guidelines. Logistic regression was used to compare adherence to physical activity guidelines for hematologic cancer survivors and other cancer survivors. The study included 235 hematologic cancer survivors and 5,667 other cancer survivors. Adherence to the aerobic, strength, and combined guidelines was 18.3%, 23.6%, and 9.4% for hematologic cancer survivors and 15.1%, 22.4%, and 6.4% for non-hematologic cancer survivors. After controlling for demographic, health-status, and cancer history variables, no difference was found in adherence between hematologic cancer survivors and other cancer survivors. Overall, very few cancer survivors adhered to physical activity guidelines. In contrast to prior studies, more cancer survivors adhered to the strength than the aerobic guideline. Findings from this study indicate that hematologic cancer survivors are not more affected by barriers to physical activity than other cancer survivors and that cancer survivors face greater challenges in adhering to guidelines for aerobic activity than strengthening activity. Further research is needed to identify and minimize barriers to cancer survivor adherence to both aerobic and strength activity guidelines to maximize health benefits.

Keywords:
secondary analysis physical activity aerobic strengthening cancer survivors hematologic cancer

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