Motivating Older Adults with Cancer to Keep Moving: the Implications of Lifestyle Interventions on Physical Activity.

Abstract

The purposes of this review are to describe the unique needs and preferences of older adults with cancer regarding physical activity and to outline the essential characteristics associated with increased physical activity resulting from lifestyle interventions in older adults. Functional decline is accelerated in inactive and sedentary older adults. Even a modest increase in physical activity can improve physical function for older cancer survivors. Participation in physical activity is influenced by diverse individual-level factors, behavioral characteristics and skills and social and environmental factors. Thus, programs that are tailored to older adults' preferences provide social support and remove obstacles to participation may be more effective, particularly for older adults with low physical activity and sedentary lifestyle.