Physical activity and exercise in individuals dealing with cancer in the Free State: A KAP study

South African Journal of Physiotherapy

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Physical activity and exercise in individuals dealing with cancer in the Free State: A KAP study
 
Creator Barnes, Roline Y. Welman, Jané van Rooyen, Francois C.
 
Subject Physiotherapy; Oncology cancer; KAP study; exercise; physical activity; physiotherapy; advice
Description Background: Despite therapeutic advances, cancer remains a disease with a huge impact worldwide. Exercise and increased physical activity (PA) not only prevent cancer but also mitigate the effects of the disease and treatment-related complications. No research is currently available regarding the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of individuals dealing with prostate, breast and colorectal cancer regarding exercise and/or PA in the Free State.Objectives: To describe the KAP of individuals dealing with prostate, breast and colorectal cancer regarding exercise and PA.Method: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, using a self-developed KAP survey for prostate, breast and colorectal cancer patients, was conducted. The research was performed at the Universitas Annex Oncology ward and clinic, and 70 individuals dealing with cancer consented to participate during the data collection period.Results: Most participants knew that heartbeat (79.7%) and breathing (74.3%) increased with exercise. Many participants reported that, on average, they performed exercise two (30.0%) or three times (30.0%) a week at home, with the duration, on average, of 10–20 min per session (43.6%) and less than 10 min (20.5%). Most participants (91.9%) indicated the importance of PA for their health and/or life, while 90.8% liked doing PA regularly.Conclusion: Although individuals dealing with cancer engaged in exercise and/or PA, they did not meet the suggested minimum requirements. Psychological barriers to exercise and/or PA are treatable factors, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.Clinical implications: Cancer care should include advice on exercise and/or PA, while the feasibility of exercises and collaborative goal setting should be considered.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor —
Date 2025-11-11
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — A descriptive, cross-sectional study design using a survey (questionnaires)
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2186
 
Source South African Journal of Physiotherapy; Vol 81, No 1 (2025); 9 pages 2410-8219 0379-6175
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2186/4028 https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2186/4029 https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2186/4030 https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2186/4031
 
Coverage — — Individuals dealing with prostate, breast and colorectal cancer.
Rights Copyright (c) 2025 Roline Y. Barnes, Jané Welman, Francois C. van Rooyen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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