| Abstract | Not much is known about the role of exercise in sleep and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in breast cancer survivors. Information on sleep and physical activity was collected from 10 female breast cancer survivors. Physical activity was assessed by the 7 Day Physical Activity Recall (PAR) and the Short Questionnaire to Assess Health Enhancing Physical Activity (SQUASH). Sleep (quality and duration) was assessed using a cell phone app, the Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock. HRQOL was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy questionnaire. Pearson's Correlation Coefficients showed a significant negative relationship between physical activity expenditure, assessed by PAR, and sleep quality (r=0.76; p<0.01) and sleep duration (r=0.68; p<0.03), but there was no relationship between time spent in light, moderate, and intense physical activity, assessed by SQUASH, and sleep quality and duration. There was also no relationship between physical activity and HRQOL or between HRQOL and sleep quality and duration. In conclusion, physical activity was not associated with improved sleep quality and duration or HRQOL in breast cancer survivors. Future studies with a larger sample and using a more objective measurement of physical activity are needed. |
