title: Physical activity measured using global positioning system tracking in non-small cell lung cancer: an observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increasingly physical activity (PA) is being recognized as an important outcome in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated PA using novel global positioning system (GPS) tracking individuals with NSCLC and a group of similar-aged healthy individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cross-sectional multicenter study. Fifty individuals with NSCLC from 3 Australian tertiary hospitals and 35 similar-aged healthy individuals without cancer were included. Individuals with NSCLC were assessed pretreatment. Primary measures were triaxial accelerometery (steps/day) and GPS tracking (outdoor PA behavior). Secondary measures were questionnaires assessing depression, motivation to exercise, and environmental barriers to PA. Between-group comparisons were analyzed using analysis of covariance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with NSCLC engaged in significantly less PA than similar-aged healthy individuals (mean difference 2363 steps/day, P = .007) and had higher levels of depression (P = .027) and lower motivation to exercise (P = .001). Daily outdoor walking time (P = .874) and distance travelled away from home (P = .883) were not different between groups. Individuals with NSCLC spent less time outdoors in their local neighborhood area (P < .001). A greater number of steps per day was seen in patients who were less depressed (r = .39) or had better access to nonresidential destinations such as shopping centers (r = .25).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Global positioning system tracking appears to be a feasible methodology for adult cancer patients and holds promise for use in future studies investigating PA and or lifestyle behaviors.
authors.affiliation: The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Melbourne Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia catherine.granger@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Catherine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Granger
authors.affiliation: The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Denehy
authors.affiliation: Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Christine F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Irving
authors.affiliation: Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Ross A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000379:methods; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
keywords: exercise; global positioning system (GPS) tracking; lung cancer; outdoor behavior; physical activity