Perception of competence and self-regulation for physical activity in women with breast cancer

The objective of this study was to examine the factors affecting physical activity among women undergoing breast cancer treatment, emphasising the constructs of the self-determination theory: competence and self-regulation for the practice of physical activity. One hundred and four women who are undergoing breast cancer treatment in the oncology sector of a hospital in the Midwest region of Santa Catarina, Brazil, participated in this study and answered questions about motivation for exercise (perception of competence and self-regulation for physical activity, autonomous or controlled regulation) and level of physical activity. The logistic regression analysis was then used to identify the factors associated with physical activity. The mean scores for perception of competence and autonomous regulation were higher in the group with high levels of physical activity. For controlled regulation the values were higher in the group with low levels of physical activity. A positive association was observed between the perception of competence and higher levels of physical activity, and the opposite happened with the controlled regulation, since a negative association was observed. The results of this study provide important information for the orientation of physical activity programmes and feedbacks to be transmitted to patients, which should emphasise the characteristics of competence and autonomy, to the detriment of the controlling regulation. Increasing the perception of competence and autonomy of breast cancer patients can improve their health behaviours in relation to the practice of physical activity.