title: Physical activity and health outcomes three months after completing a physical activity behavior change intervention: persistent and delayed effects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We previously reported the effectiveness of a 12-week physical activity behavior change intervention for breast cancer survivors postintervention with this report, aiming to determine delayed and/or persistent effects 3 months after intervention completion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one sedentary women with stage I, II, or IIIA breast cancer currently receiving hormonal therapy were randomly assigned to receive the 12-week Better Exercise Adherence after Treatment for Cancer intervention or usual care. Assessments occurred at baseline, postintervention, and 3 months postintervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weekly minutes of greater than or equal to moderate intensity physical activity measured by accelerometer showed a significant group by time interaction (F = 3.51; P = 0.035; between group difference in the mean change from baseline to 3 months postintervention, 100.1 minute, P = 0.012). Significant group by time interactions also showed sustained improvements from baseline to 3 months postintervention in strength (F = 3.82; P = 0.027; between group difference, 11.2 kg; P = 0.026), waist-to-hip ratio (F = 3.36; P = 0.041; between group difference, -0.04; P = 0.094), and social well-being (F = 4.22; P = 0.023; between group difference, 3.9; P = 0.039). A delayed reduction in lower extremity dysfunction 3 months postintervention was noted (F = 3.24; P = 0.045; between group difference in the mean change from postintervention to 3 months follow-up; P = -7.6; P = 0.015). No group by time effect was noted for fitness, body mass index, percent fat, bone density, total quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General), fatigue, endocrine symptoms, cognitive function, or sleep.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervention resulted in sustained improvements in physical activity, strength, central adiposity, and social well-being with lower extremity function benefits appearing 3 months after intervention completion. Testing translation in a multisite study is warranted.
authors.affiliation: SIU School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62794-9636, USA. lrogers@siumed.edu.
authors.forename: Laura Q
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hopkins-Price
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vicari
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Markwell
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pamenter
authors.forename: Kerry S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Courneya
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoelzer
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Naritoku
authors.forename: Billie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Edson
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dunnington
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verhulst
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001823:Body Composition; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010809:Physical Fitness; D017741:Survivors; D016896:Treatment Outcome