A prospective study of the determinants of exercise in bladder cancer survivors using the Theory of Planned Behavior.
OBJECTIVE
Although exercise has gained recognition as an effective supportive care intervention for cancer survivors, exercise participation rates are low. The present study examined the determinants of exercise in bladder cancer survivors using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).


METHODS
Bladder cancer survivors (N = 397) residing in Alberta, Canada completed a mailed questionnaire at baseline that assessed demographic, medical, behavioral, and social cognitive variables and a second questionnaire 3 months later that assessed exercise. Multiple regression was the primary analysis.


RESULTS
Adjuvant therapy (r = -0.10, p = 0.021), cancer invasiveness (r = -0.10, p = 0.051), and age (r = -0.11, p = 0.037) were all negatively associated with exercise. Intention (beta = 0.25, p < 0.001), perceived behavioral control (beta = 0.18, p = 0.001), and planning (beta = 0.12, p = 0.018) explained 20.9% of the variance in exercise over a 3-month period. Perceived behavioral control (beta = 0.32, p < 0.001), affective attitude (beta = 0.18, p = 0.002), instrumental attitude (beta = 0.15, p = 0.025) and descriptive norm (beta = 0.10, p = 0.032) explained 39.1% of the variability in exercise intention. Constructs from the TPB mediated the associations between adjuvant therapy, cancer invasiveness, age, and exercise. Age and adjuvant therapy also moderated some of the associations within the TPB.


CONCLUSIONS
Some medical and demographic variables predict exercise behavior in bladder cancer survivors, but these associations are mediated by the TPB. Interventions based on the TPB may be effective for promoting exercise in this cancer survivor population.
Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. karvinenk@ecu.edu
Kristina H
KH
Karvinen
Kerry S
KS
Courneya
Ronald C
RC
Plotnikoff
John C
JC
Spence
Peter M
PM
Venner
Scott
S
North
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000416:Alberta; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009042:Motivation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms