Comparing physical activity, motivation, and need satisfaction in cancer survivors exercising with the general public versus with other survivors

Self-determination theory asserts that psychological need satisfaction in exercise and autonomous motivation are valuable in initiating exercise and supporting adherence long-term. Given the benefits of exercise in reducing cancer survivors’ treatment side effects and risk of relapse, this study compared motives and psychological need satisfaction when exercising in survivor-specific groups versus general public groups. Participants (n = 72) were 42 cancer survivors who exercised in survivor-specific groups (Group 1; Mage = 57.02, SD = 10.95) and 30 survivors who exercised in general public groups (Group 2; Mage = 45.67, SD = 13.75). PERMANOVA analysis indicated significant differences between the groups in relatedness (F(1, 70) = 9.52, p = 0.003) and autonomous motivation (F(1, 70) = 9.75, p = 0.004). Relatedness and autonomous motivation were significantly higher in those exercising with other survivors than those exercising with the general public. No significant differences were found in competence, autonomy, or physical activity levels, with both groups showing high physical activity levels of around 4000 Metabolic Equivalent of Task minutes per week. Survivor-specific programs may offer unique advantages in fostering relatedness and autonomous motivation, factors important for exercise initiation and long-term adherence. Based on these findings, we recommend survivor-specific group exercise programming where possible.