Strategies for promoting exercise adherence within a cancer exercise recovery program

Purpose Physical activity (PA) can play an important role in physical health and well-being for cancer survivors. However, cancer survivors demonstrate low adherence to cancer PA guidelines. Research is needed to understand how to optimize delivery of cancer PA programs to enhance participation and adherence. In this study, we examined a clinical cancer exercise recovery program (CERP) demonstrating high adherence (over 90% session completion), with the goal of understanding implementation strategies that may be linked to higher program adherence. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with CERP program trainers ( n  = 2), as well as CERP program participants ( n  = 18; n  = 13 women) with diverse cancer diagnoses and treatments. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results A series of strategies were identified that were linked by study participants to program adherence. These strategies were organized into three programmatic components: the physical environment, social environment, and activity characteristics. Conclusion The identified implementation strategies may support health care providers and exercise physiologists in the development of cancer PA programming that promotes quality participation experiences and high program adherence, allowing participants to experience the benefits of PA post-treatment.