Kinesiology Students’ Perception Regarding Exercise Oncology: A Cross-Sectional Study

Alice Avancini, Carlo Ferri Marini, Isabella Sperduti, Valentina Natalucci, Anita Borsati, Sara Pilotto, Claudia Cerulli, Elena Barbieri, Francesco Lucertini, Massimo Lanza, Attilio Parisi, Elisa Grazioli and Andrea Di Blasio
Additional contact information
Alice Avancini: Department of Oncology, University of Verona Hospital Trust, 37134 Verona, Italy
Carlo Ferri Marini: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
Isabella Sperduti: Biostatistical Unit—Clinical Trials Center IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena, U.O. di Biostatistica e Bioinformatica, 00144 Rome, Italy
Valentina Natalucci: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
Anita Borsati: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
Sara Pilotto: Department of Oncology, University of Verona Hospital Trust, 37134 Verona, Italy
Claudia Cerulli: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
Elena Barbieri: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
Francesco Lucertini: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
Massimo Lanza: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
Attilio Parisi: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
Elisa Grazioli: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
Andrea Di Blasio: Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-10

Abstract: Delivering physical activity in cancer care requires knowledge, competence, and specific skills to adapt the exercise program to the patients’ specific needs. Kinesiology students could be one of the main stakeholders involved in the promotion of physical activity. This study aims to investigate the knowledge, perception, and competence about exercise in patients with oncological disease in a sample of students attending the Sports Science University. A total of 854 students (13% response rate) from four Italian universities completed the online survey between May and June 2021. About half of the study participants identified the correct amount of aerobic (44%) and strength (54%) activities proposed by the American College of Sports Medicine for patients with cancer. Almost all the students recognized the importance of physical activity in cancer prevention (96%), in the management of cancer before surgery (96%), during anticancer treatments (84%), and after therapies completion (98%). On the contrary, they reported a lack of university courses dedicated to cancer diseases, psychological implications, and prescription of physical activity in all types of cancer prevention. Overall, few students felt qualified in delivered counseling about physical activity and individual or group-based exercise programs in patients with cancer. Logistic regression revealed that the students attending the Master’s Degree in Preventive and Adapted Physical Activity were more likely to have knowledge and competence than other students. The present study suggests that kinesiology universities should increase the classes and internships about exercise oncology to train experts with specific skills who are able to adequately support patients in their lifestyle modification.

Keywords: cancer; exercise; exercise specialists; kinesiologist; exercise oncology; university (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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