Summer camps for adolescent cancer patients and survivors are popular. Little is known about the impact of camp attendance on physical activity (PA) and fatigue. This pilot study was conducted in 24 adolescents, 13–17 years of age, to measure objective PA (steps/day) along with self-reported PA and fatigue during camp. Findings demonstrate adolescents are willing to complete a PA research study during camp. On average, campers demonstrated 18,198 steps/day. Self-reported PA significantly increased with no significant change in self-reported fatigue. Summer camps offer a unique setting, in which to encourage and explore PA in adolescent oncology patients and survivors.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BaumannFT, BlochW, BeulertzJ. Clinical exercise interventions in pediatric oncology: a systematic review. Pediatr Res. 2013; 74(4):366–74.
2.
GotteM, KestingS, WinterC, et al.Comparison of self-reported physical activity in children and adolescents before and during cancer treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2014; 61(6):1023–8.
3.
WinterC, MullerC, BrandesM, et al.Level of activity in children undergoing cancer treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2009; 53(3):438–43.
4.
Tudor-LockeC, CraigCL, BeetsMW, et al.How many steps/day are enough? For children and adolescents. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011; 8:78.
5.
CourneyaKS, KatzmarzykPT, BaconE. Physical activity and obesity in Canadian cancer survivors: population-based estimates from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey. Cancer. 2008; 112(11):2475–82.
6.
NessKK, LeisenringWM, HuangS, et al.Predictors of inactive lifestyle among adult survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Cancer. 2009; 115(9):1984–94.
7.
TaiE, BuchananN, TownsendJ, et al.Health status of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Cancer. 2012; 118(19):4884–91.
8.
KestlerSA, LoBiondo-WoodG. Review of symptom experiences in children and adolescents with cancer. Cancer Nurs. 2012; 35(2):E31–49.
9.
BeetsMW, WeaverRG, BeighleA, et al.How physically active are children attending summer day camps?. J Phys Act Health. 2013; 10(6):850–5.
10.
WuYP, McPhailJ, MooneyR, et al.A multi-site evaluation of summer camps for children with cancer and their siblings. J Psychosoc Oncol. 2016; 34(6):449–59.
11.
LaingCM, MoulesNJ. “It's not Just Camp!”: understanding the meaning of children's cancer camps for children and families. J Assoc Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2016; 33(1):33–44.
12.
MartiniukA, SilvaM, AmylonM, BarrR. Camp programs for children with cancer and their families: review of research progress over the past decade. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2014; 61(5):778–87.
13.
GillE, GoldenbergM, StarnesH, PhelanS. Outdoor adventure therapy to increase physical activity in young adult cancer survivors. J Psychosoc Oncol. 2016; 34(3):184–99.
14.
KooimanTJ, DontjeML, SprengerSR, et al.Reliability and validity of ten consumer activity trackers. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2015; 7:24.
15.
HindsPS, NussSL, RuccioneKS, et al.PROMIS pediatric measures in pediatric oncology: valid and clinically feasible indicators of patient-reported outcomes. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2013; 60(3):402–8.
16.
DeWaltDA, GrossHE, GipsonDS, et al.PROMIS((R)) pediatric self-report scales distinguish subgroups of children within and across six common pediatric chronic health conditions. Qual Life Res. 2015; 24(9):2195–208.
17.
VarniJW, MagnusB, StuckyBD, et al.Psychometric properties of the PROMISA (R) pediatric scales: precision, stability, and comparison of different scoring and administration options. Qual Life Res. 2014; 23(4):1233–43.
18.
TuckerCA, BevansKB, TeneralliRE, et al.Self-reported pediatric measures of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and strength impact for PROMIS: item development. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2014; 26(4):385–92.
19.
TuckerCA, BevansKB, TeneralliRE, et al.Self-reported pediatric measures of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and strength impact for PROMIS: conceptual framework. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2014; 26(4):376–84.
20.
SchultzNS, EliasziwM, RompayM, et al.Validity of the Block Kids Physical Activity Screener for moderate to vigorous physical activity. American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, 2014.
21.
TroianoRP, BerriganD, DoddKW, et al.Physical activity in the United States measured by accelerometer. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008; 40(1):181–8.
22.
BoggTF, BroderickC, ShawP, et al.Feasibility of an inpatient exercise intervention for children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Pediatr Transplant. 2015; 19(8):925–31.
23.
GrimshawSL, TaylorNF, ShieldsN. The Feasibility of physical activity interventions during the intense treatment phase for children and adolescents with cancer: a systematic review. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2016; 63(9):1586–93.
24.
HookeMC, GilchristL, TannerL, et al.Use of a fitness tracker to promote physical activity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2016; 63(4):684–9.
25.
LinaberyAM, RossJA. Trends in childhood cancer incidence in the US (1992–2004). Cancer. 2008; 112(2):416–32.
