title: Physical activity and quality of life in adult survivors of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the prevalence and correlates of physical activity in adult survivors of aggressive non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) and to explore the association between physical activity level and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical activity and HRQOL data from 319 survivors of NHL (mean age, 59.8 years, standard deviation, +/-14.8) who were diagnosed in Los Angeles County approximately 2 to 5 years before the study was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One quarter of survivors of NHL met public health guidelines of 150 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous exercise per week. More than half (53%) reported some activity but less than 150 minutes per week, whereas 20% reported no physical activity. Females, those with lower perceived health competence, and individuals with more comorbid limitations were at increased risk for inactivity. Individuals who met public health guidelines reported better HRQOL than those who were sedentary. Interestingly, our findings suggest a significant positive association between HRQOL and those who get at least some exercise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effort to promote physical activity among cancer survivors, who are at risk for poor quality of life as a result of treatment, is of great importance to the health of this growing population. As NHL, similar to other cancers, becomes a disease that people live with as opposed to one that people die as a result of, oncologists and primary care physicians will be increasingly challenged to provide evidence-based guidance for the long-term management of the patient's health. Consideration should be given to how clinicians frame exercise-promoting messages to cancer survivors, especially to those who are sedentary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd, Unit 2058, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. Keith.M.Bellizzi@Uconn.edu
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bellizzi
authors.forename: Julia H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.forename: Neeraj K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Ann S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Melissa Farmer
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Noreen M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Aziz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D017741:Survivors