Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Status Among Elderly Cancer Survivors: Results From the 2004 National Long-Term Care Survey

Purpose: The role and function of physical activity among older cancer survivors demands greater attention, particularly in the area of how such activity can best be tailored to meet particular health needs and capacities. Past studies have addressed particular exercise programs but have given little attention to empowering the older cancer survivor to view his or her own activities of daily living as an important means to increase health status. The current study addresses this gap by investigating how routine physical activity improves elderly cancer survivors' self-rated health status.

Methods: Two hundred and fifty-one older cancer survivors were drawn from the 2004 wave of the National Long-Term Care Survey, a nationally representative study of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or above. The study sample was comprised of community-dwelling elderly cancer survivors who reported that they engaged in light to vigorous activities. The outcome variable—self-reported health status—is measured on a four-point scale (1=poor, 2=fair, 3=good, 4= excellent). Physical activity was determined according to light activity (e.g., office work, walking inside), moderate activity (e.g., light sports, walking outside, dancing ), and vigorous activity (e.g., strenuous sports, jogging, digging in the garden). About 28% of the sample participated in light activities, while 42% and 29% of the sample participated in moderate and vigorous activities respectively. The light activity only group was used as the reference group in multivariate analysis. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the relative importance of four sets of independent and controlling variables: covariates (age, gender, marital status, and education), physical health conditions (functional disability and chronic health conditions), depression, and physical activity participation.

Results: In the first model, age and higher education were found to be significant predictors of health status among the study sample. Although education was not significant in subsequent models, age, functional disability, chronic health conditions, and depression were all identified as significant predictors of health status. In the final model, where moderate and vigorous activity participation were entered, older cancer survivors who engaged in vigorous physical activities showed higher levels of health status than did elders engaged in light physical activities. The final model explained 26% of the variance in health status of the elderly cancer survivors.

Implications: The findings validate the important place of physical activity among older cancer survivors. Those who engaged in physical activity, particularly vigorous activity, showed enhanced health status. This finding suggests the central place of physical activity within a post-cancer-treatment health regimen. Design and implementation of health programs and policies that incorporate physical activity are vital in the effort to support health among older cancer survivors. Collaboration with local senior health agencies and oncology clinics—where elderly cancer survivors are easily accessed, educated, and encouraged to be involved in vigorous physical activities—is urged.