Mechanisms of Physical Activity Behavior Change for Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Exercise is beneficial for prostate cancer survivors. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of physical activity (PA) behavior change is imperative.

Purpose: The ENGAGE study was an exercise intervention for prostate cancer survivors, which improved vigorous physical activity (VPA) at postintervention and follow-up.

Assessment and monitoring practices of Australian fitness professionals.

Objectives: Assessment and monitoring of client health and fitness is a key part of fitness professionals' practices. However, little is known about prevalence of this practice. This study describes the assessment/monitoring practices of a large sample of Australian fitness professionals.

Associations Between Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms by Weight Status Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Results From Diabetes MILES-Australia.

Background: To examine associations between physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM), and whether associations varied according to weight status.

Methods: Diabetes MILES-Australia is a national survey of adults with diabetes, focused on behavioral and psychosocial issues. Data from 705 respondents with Type 2 DM were analyzed, including: demographic and clinical characteristics, PA (IPAQ-SF), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and BMI (self-reported height and weight).

Changes in sport and physical activity participation for adolescent females: a longitudinal study.

Background: Participation in sport and physical activity is reported to decline during adolescence, particularly for females. However we do not have a clear understanding of changes in the context (i.e.

Effects of a clinician referral and exercise program for men who have completed active treatment for prostate cancer: A multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial (ENGAGE).

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a clinician referral and exercise program in improving exercise levels and quality of life for men with prostate cancer.

Methods: This was a multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial in Melbourne, Australia comprising 15 clinicians: 8 clinicians were randomized to refer eligible participants (n = 54) to a 12-week exercise program comprising 2 supervised gym sessions and 1 home-based session per week, and 7 clinicians were randomized to follow usual care (n = 93). The primary outcome was self-reported physical activity; the secondary outcomes were quality of life, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.

Understanding the contexts of adolescent female participation in sport and physical activity.

Purpose: Participation in physical activity (PA) is reported to decline in adolescence, particularly for girls. However, we do not know if this decline in PA is consistent across modes and settings or whether there are transfers of participation between modes and settings. Nor do we understand the changes in specific types of PA or the interaction between types of participation and different modes/settings.

Perceived benefits and barriers to exercise for recently treated patients with multiple myeloma: a qualitative study.

Background: Understanding the physical activity experiences of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is essential to inform the development of evidence-based interventions and to quantify the benefits of physical activity. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the physical activity experiences and perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity for patients with MM.

Methods: This was a qualitative study that used a grounded theory approach.

Family support and ease of access link socio-economic status and sports club membership in adolescent girls: a mediation study.

Background: Much research has been conducted into the determinants of physical activity (PA) participation among adolescent girls. However, the more specific question of what are the determinants of particular forms of PA participation, such as the link between participation through a sports club, has not been investigated. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between participation in a sports club and socio-economic status (SES), access to facilities, and family and peer support, for female adolescents.

Associations between behavior regulation, competence, physical activity, and health for adolescent females.

Background: This study investigated the association between the different types of behavior regulation and competence on sport and physical activity (PA) and perceived health, and the influence of school year level (ie, year 7 and year 11) and setting (ie, metropolitan and rural) on these relationships.

Methods: A cross sectional self-complete survey was conducted. Competence was measured using the 5-item perceived competence subscale of the 21-item Athletic Identity Questionnaire (AIQ); behavior regulation was measured using a modified version of the Behavior Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2); PA was measured using an item to assess if adolescents are meeting recommended levels of PA; and perceived health was measured using the Short Form 1 (SF-1).

Sensitivity and specificity of the Distress Impact Thermometer for the detection of psychological distress among CRC survivors.

This study assessed the relative screening performance of the Distress Impact Thermometer (DIT) and cutoff levels with the established clinical case threshold of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) among a sample of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. Fifty-nine CRC survivors completed the DIT, HADS, and provided demographic information at baseline, and 45 of these patients completed the same measures at follow-up, giving a total of 104 participant data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the accuracy of the DIT compared to the HADS, with a cutoff score ≥8 on each HADS subscale (depression and anxiety) and ≥15 on the HADS total scale used to identify patients with psychological distress.

A nurse-assisted screening and referral program for depression among survivors of colorectal cancer: feasibility study.

Objective: To test the feasibility and acceptability of a telephone-based program to screen survivors of colorectal cancer (CRC) for distress, and to refer distressed patients to their treating health service.

Design, Setting And Participants: A prospective, multicentre study involving 59 patients with CRC recruited from six public and private health services in Melbourne, Victoria, from 15 June 2008 to 22 September 2009. Patients who had completed adjuvant chemotherapy for CRC were contacted (7-10 days after recruitment [outcall one] and again 4 weeks later [outcall two]) by the Cancer Council Victoria's helpline nurse, and screened for distress with the Distress and Impact Thermometer (DIT); participants were given tailored information and support and those with distress scores of > or = 5, and impact scores of > or = 4, were referred for follow-up.

An exploratory study of the factors that influence physical activity for prostate cancer survivors.

Purpose: To gain an understanding of the factors that influence participation in physical activity for survivors of prostate cancer and to examine changes in participation in physical activity pre- and post-diagnosis.

Methods: Eighteen men who had completed treatment for prostate cancer 6 months prior were interviewed for this study. Constant comparison was used to examine the main themes arising from the interviews.

Direct and buffering effects of physical activity on stress-related depression in mothers of infants.

This study examined the role of leisure-time physical activity in reducing the impact of high life stress and time pressure on depression, a buffer effect, for mothers of infants. A direct association between leisure-time physical activity and depression, regardless of both sources of stress, was also tested. A sample of approximately 5,000 mothers of infant children completed questionnaires that measured demographic characteristics, frequency of participation in leisure-time physical activity, life stress, time pressure, and depression (depressive symptoms).