Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in everyday life after childhood cancer: a report from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (SCCSS)-Activity

The study examined physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in 108 childhood cancer survivors (68 children and 40 adults) using accelerometers worn on the thigh for eight days. Children accumulated a median of 85 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and 578 minutes per day of sedentary behavior, while adults achieved 78 minutes and 603 minutes respectively. Both groups spent 4-5 hours per day in long uninterrupted sedentary bouts. Children slept 466 minutes per night and adults 435 minutes. Only 9% of children and 20% of adults met recommendations for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep simultaneously. Radiotherapy was associated with lower physical activity in children and higher sedentary time in both groups. Healthcare practitioners should prioritize promoting physical activity in adolescent survivors, particularly those treated with radiotherapy, and support all survivors in improving sleep duration and reducing sedentary time.