The Swaying Pendulum: Factors Influencing Physical Activity Participation in Women With Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Gildea, Gabrielle C
Spence, Rosalind R
Jones, Tamara L
Sandler, Carolina X
McDonald, Nicole M
Hayes, Sandra C
Plinsinga, Melanie L
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2025
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Background: Physical activity levels decline following diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and there is limited research investigating the factors that influence participation across the cancer continuum. The objective of this study is to explore barriers, facilitators, perceptions, and preferences of physical activity for women with recurrent ovarian cancer and to explore whether these factors change across the cancer continuum. Methods: Women enrolled in the Exercise During Chemotherapy for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer trial were invited to participate. Semistructured interviews, guided by social cognitive theory, were conducted by 2 interviewers via video conferencing. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using an adaptive thematic approach. Results: An overarching theme, “The swaying pendulum,” emerged following 13 participant interviews, representing the instability of physical activity participation in women with recurrent ovarian cancer. Five themes captured factors swaying the “pendulum”: (1) the “priority ladder” of physical activity and the importance of social support and the physical environment, (2) the “hurdles” of treatment- and disease-related side effects, (3) the power of physical activity support and advice from health professionals in the face of uncertainty and fear, (4) a “yearning” for the outdoors, and (5) resorting to walking. Conclusions: Physical activity participation in women with recurrent ovarian cancer is swayed by a complex combination of internal and external factors, unique to each individual, and continually changing circumstances across the cancer continuum.

Journal Title

Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note

This publication has been entered in Griffith Research Online as an advance online version.

Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Persistent link to this record
Citation

Gildea, GC; Spence, RR; Jones, TL; Sandler, CX; McDonald, NM; Hayes, SC; Plinsinga, ML, The Swaying Pendulum: Factors Influencing Physical Activity Participation in Women With Recurrent Ovarian Cancer, Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2025

Collections