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EFFECTS OF FATIGUE AND EXERCISE INTENSITY ON EXERCISE ENJOYMENT DURING AN OUTPATIENT CANCER REHABILITATION PROGRAM

Abstract

PURPOSE: Exercise can improve physical and psychosocial outcomes for cancer survivors, and positive affect or “exercise enjoyment” can increase exercise adherence. This study examined the effects of pre-exercise fatigue levels and exercise intensity on exercise enjoyment among cancer survivors participating in a 12-week outpatient cancer rehabilitation program. METHODS: Observational study. Participants were cancer survivors ≥18 years of age, and planning to participate in a cancer rehabilitation program located at a regional cancer center. Exercise sessions were twice per week and exercise enjoyment was measured after each exercise session (1= not at all – 7= very much). Fatigue was measured before each exercise session (0=no fatigue – 10=worst fatigue). Exercise intensity was self-selected, and exercise sessions were categorized as low (30-39% HRR & RPE range 9-11) or moderate to high (40-89% HRR & RPE range 12-20). A spearman’s correlation examined the association between fatigue and enjoyment, and an independent t-test compared enjoyment between low vs. moderate-high intensity exercise session. RESULTS: Participants (N=24) were M=64±11 years of age, 83% female, represented 14 different cancer types, and completed N=181 exercise sessions. Average exercise enjoyment was 6.2±1.1 (range 2-7). Average fatigue was 3.1±2.4 (range 0-10). Over half (N=102, 57%) of exercise sessions were low intensity. Fatigue was inversely associated with enjoyment (rs= -0.26, p<.001). There was no difference in enjoyment between light (M=6.3±1.1) and moderate-high (M=6.3±=1.0) intensity exercise sessions [t(175)= -0.08, p = .94]. CONCLUSION: Overall, exercise enjoyment was high, but worse fatigue before an exercise session was associated with lower enjoyment. There was no difference in enjoyment between low vs. moderate-high exercise sessions. These findings highlight the impact of fatigue on exercise experiences and suggest the need for strategies to support engagement on high-fatigue days to maintain adherence even when enjoyment is lower. Funding: Supported by a pilot grant from the University of Colorado Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control program in conjunction with the Associate Director for Population Science

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