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Understanding strength exercise intentions and behavior in hematologic cancer survivors: an analysis of the intention-behavior gap

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Abstract

Background

Strength exercise improves many health outcomes in cancer survivors but the prevalence and correlates of strength exercise have not been well-described. Moreover, no study has examined the critical intention-behavior gap for exercise in cancer survivors.

Purpose

The aims of this study are to quantify the intention-behavior gap for strength exercise in hematologic cancer survivors (HCS) and examine correlates of both intention formation and translation using the multi-process action control framework (M-PAC).

Methods

A random sample of 2100 HCS in Alberta, Canada, were mailed a survey assessing strength exercise behavior, the M-PAC, and demographic/medical variables. Separate logistic regressions were used to analyze the relationships between the correlates and intention formation and translation.

Results

Surveys were completed by 606 HCS with 58 % (n = 353) intending to do strength exercise. HCS who were not retired (OR = 1.56, p = 0.001), were highly educated (OR = 1.32, p = 0.001), and had a favorable attitude (OR = 1.56, p < 0.001), descriptive norm (OR = 1.38, p = 0.006), injunctive norm (OR = 1.45, p = 0.004), and perceived control (OR = 1.38, p < 0.001), were more likely to form an exercise intention. Of those with an exercise intention, 51 % (n = 181) reported regular strength exercise. HCS with a detailed plan (OR = 1.86, p < 0.001), favorable attitude (OR = 1.68, p = 0.001), sense of obligation (OR = 1.38, p = 0.010), and self-regulated their affinity for competing activities (OR = 1.35, p = 0.012), were more likely to translate their intention into behavior.

Conclusion

Just over half of HCS intended to do strength exercise and only half of intenders translated that intention into behavior.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Interventions targeting both intention formation and translation may provide the best approach for increasing strength exercise in HCS.

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Acknowledgments

JRV is supported by a Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. RER is supported by a Canadian Cancer Society Senior Scientist Award and the Right to Give Foundation. KSC is supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, 1-113 University Hall, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2H9

    James R. Vallerand, Gordon J. Walker & Kerry S. Courneya

  2. University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada

    Ryan E. Rhodes

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  1. James R. Vallerand
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  4. Kerry S. Courneya
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Correspondence to Kerry S. Courneya.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Vallerand, J.R., Rhodes, R.E., Walker, G.J. et al. Understanding strength exercise intentions and behavior in hematologic cancer survivors: an analysis of the intention-behavior gap. J Cancer Surviv 10, 945–955 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-016-0540-9

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