Gemma Pugh1, Anika Petrella2, Abigail Fisher3, Jemima Reynolds4, Sophie Epstone4. 1. Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom. 2. Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. 3. Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom. 4. Trekstock, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the impact of a series of one-day events delivered by Trekstock, a charity supporting young adults with cancer in the United Kingdom. Methods: Data on physical activity, mood, perceived support, self-efficacy, and confidence to be active were collected at three time points: before, after, and 2 weeks following the Meet & Move events. Results: Ninety-seven young adults with cancer (mean age: 29 years, 35% still receiving active treatment) attended a Trekstock Meet & Move event and participated within the evaluation. Baseline data demonstrated that before attending a Meet & Move event, 27% (n = 23) of young adults reported feeling their cancer excluded them from engaging in exercise, 44% (n = 37) reported concern that exercise will cause pain or injury, and only 38% (n = 32) knew what exercise they could do. Data collected post-event and at follow-up indicated that Meet & Move had a positive impact upon attendees' self-efficacy and confidence to be active with more than half reporting they felt inspired after attending. There was also a significant reduction in reported worry that exercise may cause pain or injury and reported perception of feeling left out of exercise because of cancer (p < 0.05). Following engagement in the Meet & Move events, 45% of attendees had either signed up for an additional Trekstock physical activity program or initiated engagement in a new type of physical activity on their own. Conclusion: Trekstock Meet & Move events inspire and motivate young adults with cancer in their 20s and 30s to be active.
Purpose: To evaluate the impact of a series of one-day events delivered by Trekstock, a charity supporting young adults with cancer in the United Kingdom. Methods: Data on physical activity, mood, perceived support, self-efficacy, and confidence to be active were collected at three time points: before, after, and 2 weeks following the Meet & Move events. Results: Ninety-seven young adults with cancer (mean age: 29 years, 35% still receiving active treatment) attended a Trekstock Meet & Move event and participated within the evaluation. Baseline data demonstrated that before attending a Meet & Move event, 27% (n = 23) of young adults reported feeling their cancer excluded them from engaging in exercise, 44% (n = 37) reported concern that exercise will cause pain or injury, and only 38% (n = 32) knew what exercise they could do. Data collected post-event and at follow-up indicated that Meet & Move had a positive impact upon attendees' self-efficacy and confidence to be active with more than half reporting they felt inspired after attending. There was also a significant reduction in reported worry that exercise may cause pain or injury and reported perception of feeling left out of exercise because of cancer (p < 0.05). Following engagement in the Meet & Move events, 45% of attendees had either signed up for an additional Trekstock physical activity program or initiated engagement in a new type of physical activity on their own. Conclusion: Trekstock Meet & Move events inspire and motivate young adults with cancer in their 20s and 30s to be active.
Entities:
Keywords:
cancer; physical activity; survivorship; young adult