title: Perceived exercise barriers explain exercise participation in Australian women treated for breast cancer better than perceived exercise benefits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the effect of perceived exercise benefits and barriers on exercise levels among women who have been treated for breast cancer and have not participated in a formal exercise intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an anonymous, national, online cross-sectional survey study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred thirty-two women treated for breast cancer completed an online survey covering their treatment and demographic background, current exercise levels, and perceived exercise benefits and barriers. Each perceived benefit and barrier was considered in a binary logistic regression against reported exercise levels to ascertain significant relationships and associative values (odds ratio [OR]).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Agreement with 16 out of 19 exercise barriers was significantly related to being more likely to report insufficient exercise levels, whereas agreement with 6 out of 15 exercise benefits was significantly related to being less likely to report insufficient levels of exercise. Feeling too weak, lacking self-discipline, and not making exercise a priority were the barriers with the largest association to insufficient exercise levels (OR=10.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]=3.90, 30.86; OR=8.12, 95% CI=4.73, 13.93; and OR=7.43, 95% CI=3.72, 14.83, respectively). Conversely, exercise enjoyment, improved feelings of well-being, and decreased feelings of stress and tension were the top 3 benefits associated with being less likely to have insufficient exercise levels (OR=0.21, 95% CI=0.11, 0.39; OR=0.21, 95% CI=0.07, 0.63; and OR=0.31, 95% CI=0.15, 0.63, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-reported data measures were used to collect exercise data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Targeting exercise barriers specific to women treated for breast cancer may improve exercise participation levels in this cohort. Awareness of the impact of exercise barriers identified in the present study will enable physical therapists to better plan exercise interventions that support all women treated for breast cancer.
authors: S.A. Gho, PhD, Biomechanics Research Laboratory, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, New South Wales, 2522 Australia. sg490@uowmail.edu.au.
authors: Sheridan A
authors: SA
authors: Gho
authors: B.J. Munro, PhD, Biomechanics Research Laboratory, University of Wollongong.
authors: Bridget J
authors: BJ
authors: Munro
authors: S.C. Jones, PhD, Centre for Health Initiatives, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
authors: Sandra C
authors: SC
authors: Jones
authors: J.R. Steele, PhD, Biomechanics Research Laboratory, University of Wollongong.
authors: Julie R
authors: JR
authors: Steele
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014739:Victoria; D014904:Western Australia