Assessment of Physical Activities of Older Midwestern Breast Cancer Survivors using Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS)

Abstract

Aims: This study applied the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire to describe lifestyle physical activities among older community-dwelling breast cancer survivors (BCSs) living in a medium-sized Midwestern city in the United States.

Methods: BCS participants completed the CHAMPS at baseline (n = 146) and 12-month follow-up (n = 67). Generalized linear mixed-effects models, logistic regression, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to analyze the quantitative data. Qualitative responses were categorized and quantified using frequencies.

Results: A total of 247 responses to CHAMPS survey were received from participants (n = 146) who averaged 67 years of age and 10 years post-surgery. About 84% of respondents reported at least some moderate-intensive exercise in the past week for a median of 4 h. For a participant 10 years younger than another, the odds of having at least some moderate and intensive exercise were doubled (odds ratio [OR] = 2.01, P = 0.00) in hours and 89% higher (OR = 1.89, P = 0.00) in caloric expenditure. No statistically significant differences were found between the annual surveys in exercise caloric expenditures. Additional activities, including farm work, woodworking/carpentry, construction activities, and caring for grandchildren, were reported. Item missing rate was only 1.05%.

Conclusion: CHAMPS is useful in measuring the lifestyle physical activities among Midwestern older BCS. Further analysis of the constructs of the demographic relevant activities is necessary for optimizing the use of the tool among the aging Midwestern population.