Background: Accelerometers are frequently used to measure free-living physical activity and sleep in cancer survivors. To obtain valid data, participants must adhere to wear-time guidelines; therefore, understanding survivor’s preference may be critical when selecting an accelerometer. This study compared cancer survivors’ reported discomfort and interference, and wear-time compliance between a wrist-worn accelerometer and a thigh-worn accelerometer. Methods: This was a secondary data analysis. Cancer survivors (N = 52, mean age = 51.8 [13.0], 82.3% female) wore the Actiwatch-2 (wrist) and the activPAL (thigh) for 7 days, 24 hours per day. On day 7, participants completed a questionnaire to evaluate each accelerometer using a 1 to 5 Likert scale and open-ended questions. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test evaluated differences in discomfort and interference. Paired samples t test evaluated differences in wear-time compliance. Open-ended responses were analyzed using thematic analysis methods. Results: No differences were observed in discomfort, interference, or wear-time compliance (P = .08). Qualitative analysis resulted in 2 themes: discomfort and ease of use and interference and adverse reaction. Interferences were primarily reported with the Actiwatch-2, whereas discomfort and ease were primarily reported with the activPAL. Conclusion: No significant differences were observed regarding discomfort, interference, and compliance. Results of this study can prepare researchers for common issues regarding accelerometer compliance, allowing researchers to offer resources to alleviate discomforts or interferences that may affect wear-time compliance.

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PURPOSE:Exercising independently (i.e., unsupervised outside of, or in addition to supervised exercise sessions) during a physical activity (PA) intervention can help participants achieve recommended levels of PA and encourage PA maintenance. This study described the amount, type, and context of independent exercise during a PA intervention for cancer survivors. METHODS:The intervention consisted of videoconference-delivered group-based exercise 1x/week for 8-weeks, and three PA behavior change discussion sessions. Recordings of exercise sessions were provided to participants via a private YouTube channel. Each week, participants reported frequency and duration of independent aerobic and resistance exercise using a modified version of the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise questionnaire. In addition, type of exercise, where and with whom they exercised was reported. Means, standard deviations, and frequencies were calculated. RESULTS: Participants (N=39) were M=59.9±10.2 years old, 97.4% female and diagnosed with ovarian (56.4%), breast (30.8%), colorectal (7.7%), or other (5.1%) cancer. The majority of participants reported doing independent aerobic (83.5%) and resistance (70.5%) exercise outside of supervised sessions [M=196.7±182.9 mins/week of aerobic (range=168-227), and M=48.8±4mins/week of resistance (range=34-60)]. Location included home (81.2%), neighborhood (47.5%), and outdoor recreation site (47.2%). Types of exercise were brisk walking (77.0%), weightlifting (55.0%), and body weight exercise (31.6%). Participants reported exercising with their spouse/partner (44.4%), friends (26.6%), and family members (17.4%). Most (74.3%) found the YouTube channel to be very or extremely helpful, and reported exercising with the videos a median of 2x/week (range=0-7). CONCLUSION: Cancer survivors reported doing enough aerobic and resistance exercise outside of supervised sessions to achieve or exceed PA recommendations during the intervention. Most exercise was done at home or in the neighborhood, with a spouse, friend, or family member, and often utilizing the recorded intervention exercise sessions. Future studies will examine determinants of independent exercise during an intervention, and whether exercise habits continue after the intervention ends.