Implementing Exercise Into Clinical Practice in Breast Cancer Care

Exercise component: Aerobic exercise, using recumbent bikes, delivered within the cancer institution. Participants will take part in up to 30-minutes of moderate intensity (50-70% HRmax or 4-6/10 on Rate of Perceived Exertion scale)6 exercise for eight sessions during chemotherapy. An exercise specialist with experience in cancer rehabilitation will supervise the exercise component.

Eight SM modules will be delivered to participants. They will be viewed on an iPad prior to or after the exercise component. The goal of these modules is to aid participants in developing physical activity goals and action plans to continue with between sessions, with an overarching goal of helping them reach exercise guidelines for cancer survivors and the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines

Four booster sessions will be provided to participants in this group. These will occur at 2, 4, 6, and 8 months post intervention completion. An assessor trained in behavioural counselling will provide booster sessions by phone and will discuss the individuals physical and emotional condition, current exercise level, accomplishment of previously set goals and action plans, and perceived barriers to participation in exercise. The assessor will use facilitation strategies to aid participants in devising strategies to overcome barriers and set realistic goals and action plans.