IIT2020-20-SHIRAZIP-WALK: Nature Walks

This is a single-arm pilot study

MAIN STUDY Breast cancer survivors (n=20) will engage in three months of moderate intensity walking sessions three times a week in a nature and park conservation area. All walks will be supervised by certified clinical Exercise Physiologists (EP). Participants will be encouraged to keep the same days and walk session times throughout the intervention.

Sessions will be 50-minutes in total (5-minute warm-up, 40 minute walk, 5 minute cool-down and stretch). Session intensity will be tracked with Fitbits. Participants will be asked to reach a moderate intensity heart rate, defined as 40%-59% heart rate reserve.

Participants will complete surveys, physical assessments and collection of biomarkers at baseline and at end of study. Participants also have the option to participate in a 1 hr qualitative exit interview about their participation experiences.

Note. Based on any COVID pandemic restrictions at the time of a walk, sessions will be socially distanced one-on-one with an EP. When no restrictions are in place, they will take place in small groups (3-5 participants).

SUB-STUDY Adolescent and young adult (AYA) (ages 18-39) survivors (n=20) will complete all of the components of the Main-Study described above.

Main Breast Cancer Study Inclusion Criteria:

• Female previously diagnosed with breast cancer (clinical stages 1 - 3)
• Minimum of 3 months post-active treatment completion
• Maximum of 21 months post-active treatment completion
• Physically able to complete baseline fitness assessments (e.g., 6-minute walk test, hand grip test, 1 RM leg press)
• Ambulatory without assistance

Main Breast Cancer Study Exclusion Criteria:

• Active treatment planned within the next 6 months.
• Known metastatic disease.
• Currently meeting physical activity guidelines (score of >23 on Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire).
• Known allergy to Fitbit device or otherwise unable to wear Fitbit device.

Sub-study AYA Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women between age of 18 to 39
• Previously diagnosed with cancer
• Same inclusion criteria as the main study

Sub-Study AYA Exclusion Criteria:

• Below 18 years old
• Above 39 years old
• Same Exclusion criteria as the main study except for no activity level cutoff score on Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire