Physical activity in 9-15 year-old pediatric cancer survivors compared to a nationwide sample

Introduction Sufficient physical activity (PA) has the potential to mitigate late effects of cancer, but objective data of PA levels in adolescents are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in PA behavior between childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and healthy peers. Methods PA levels of n = 74 CCS and n = 1304 healthy peers from the MoMo study aged 9-15 years were assessed with validated objective accelerometry and group means were compared. A binary multiple logistic regression was performed to investigate the potential predictors of PA. Results CCS spent significantly more time sedentary (p < 0.001) and less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p = 0.002) compared to the healthy cohort. Subgroup analysis revealed the largest deviations of PA levels for CCS aged 9-11 years who fulfilled international PA recommendations on significantly fewer days than MoMo (p < 0.01). Health conditions seem to be a predictor concerning the fulfillment of international PA recommendations by the WHO (p = 0.015). Conclusions Our study identified vulnerable groups which seem to require targeted exercise and health behavior change programs to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary time. The presence of treatment sequelae as a significant predictor of insufficient physical activity underlines the need of multidisciplinary supportive care approaches.

Automated summary

This study investigated the differences in physical activity behaviors between childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and healthy peers. The results showed that CCS spent more time sedentary and less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to their healthy peers. Among CCS aged 9-11 years, fewer of them met the international physical activity recommendations compared to the healthy cohort. Health conditions were found to be a predictor of whether individuals met the international physical activity recommendations.