A Qualitative Investigation Of Fitness Professional’s Perceived Barriers And Enablers To Community-based Cancer Exercise Programming

Abstract

Access to community-based interventions is valuable for promoting regular exercise participation in cancer survivors. Although cancer survivors perceived exercise barriers have been consistently investigated, fitness professionals’ perceptions of the barriers and enablers to offering community-based exercise programming targeting cancer survivors has yet to be systematically explored. PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study is to qualitatively investigate health and fitness professionals’ perceptions of barriers and enablers to offering community-based exercise programs targeting cancer survivors at their fitness and/or community centers. METHODS: A mixed-method qualitative case study approach incorporating web-based survey and semi-structured interview components was used to evaluate the fitness professionals’ programming perceptions. A total of 82 community-based health and fitness professionals were contacted about the web-based survey. A total of 7 subjects volunteered to participate in a follow-up semi-structured interview based on their consent to participate in the further interview as indicated on the initial survey. RESULTS: A total 12 survey responses (14.6%) were completed online and 7 of 12 (58.3%) of the individuals completed the semi structured interviews. Data analysis using content analysis and the constant comparative method process revealed 3 primary domains with 11 underlying themes: 1. Program Barriers: a. Education and Awareness; b. Physician Referral; c. Cost, and d. Care Along the Cancer Continuum; 2. Program Enablers a. Champion Advocacy, b. Sponsor/Funding, c. Personnel, and d. Propositional Solutions; and 3. Program Perceptions a. Social Support, b. Gym Atmosphere, and c. Cancer Specific Modifications. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this mixed method, qualitative study identified multiple domains and themes articulating health and fitness professionals’ perceptions of key barriers, enablers, and programmatic aspects in offering community-based exercise cancer programming. These results have important implications for guiding the design and delivery of community-based exercise programs for cancer survivors and represent a meaningful advance in developing a clinic-to-community translational model of exercise-based supportive cancer care.