Motor ability, physical self‐concept and health‐related quality of life in pediatric cancer survivors

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivorship is frequently associated with severe late effects. However, research into pediatric cancer survivors on late effects in motor ability, physical self‐concept and their relationship to quality of life is limited. METHODS: Using multiple regression analyses, 78 pediatric cancer survivors and 56 typically developing children were compared in motor ability, physical self‐concept and health‐related quality of life. In addition, mediational multi‐group analyses between motor ability (independent variable), physical self‐concept (mediator) and quality of life (dependent variable) were calculated. RESULTS: Pediatric cancer survivors had a lower motor ability (g (Hedges) = 0.863), a lower physical self‐concept with regard to several scales of the PSDQ‐S (g (Hedges) = 0.318–0.764) and a higher relative risk for a below average quality of life than controls (RR = 1.44). Children with a history of cancer involving the central nervous system showed poorer motor ability compared to those without central nervous system involvement (g (Hedges) = 0.591). Furthermore, the physical self‐concept significantly mediated the relationship between motor ability and quality of life in pediatric cancer survivors but not in typically developing children. CONCLUSIONS: Results show the importance of monitoring and supporting the development of motor ability in the aftercare of pediatric cancer survivors. Physical activity interventions may be advisable to prevent physical activity‐related late effects and potentially improve related psychosocial variables such as quality of life.