Understanding exercise motivation in colorectal cancer patients: A prospective study using the theory of planned behavior

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the theory of planned behavior (I. Ajzen, 1991) as a framework for understanding exercise motivation in cancer patients. Participants were 66 postsurgical colorectal cancer patients who completed a baseline questionnaire that assessed exercise prediagnosis, demographic and medical variables, and the theory of planned behavior. Postsurgical exercise was self-monitored over a 4-month period and reported by telephone on a monthly basis. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that (a) intention and exercise prediagnosis were significant determinants of postsurgical exercise and (b) attitude was the sole significant determinant of intention. It was concluded that the theory of planned behavior may be a viable framework on which to base interventions designed to promote exercise in colorectal cancer patients.