Experiences and facilitators of physical activity engagement amongst colorectal and endometrial cancer survivors: the Wearable Activity Technology and Action-Planning (WATAAP) trial

PURPOSE: This study explored colorectal and endometrial cancer survivors’ experiences of participation in a wearable intervention and the dimensions that influenced intervention engagement and physical activity behaviour change. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews (n= 23) were conducted with intervention participants (mean age 65.8 (SD ±7.1) and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified: (i) commitment, (ii) accountability and monitoring, (iii) routine, (iv) Fitbit as health coach. Those that assigned a higher priority to PA were more likely to schedule PA and be successful in PA change. Those less successful presented more barriers to change and engaged in more incidental PA. The Fitbit acting as health coach was the active ingredient of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Commitment evidenced through prioritising PA was the foundational dimension that influenced PA engagement. Interventions that foster commitment to PA through increasing the value and importance of PA would be worthwhile. Wearables holds great promise in PA promotion and harnessing the technique of discrepancy between behaviour and goals is likely a valuable behaviour change technique. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-023-08137-z.