At the beginning of 2020, the research study on the SIRvivor BC Exercise Program for men with prostate cancer was just building momentum. After a successful pilot term, several community centres were eager to continue offering the exercise program for men in the local community.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic reached British Columbia.
The SIRvivor BC study is evaluating how best to offer the exercise program in community centres throughout B.C. It is led by UBC Department of Physical Therapy researcher Dr Kristin Campbell, and McMaster University’s Dr Sarah Neil-Sztramko, who completed a PhD in population and public health with the UBC Faculty of Medicine. Funded by a four-year grant from the Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Prostate Cancer Supportive Care Program, the study is partnering with the BC Recreation and Parks Association to offer exercise programming specific to men with prostate cancer in a community setting. The project is focused on improving access to targeted exercise for a variety of men who may not otherwise be able to participate in this type of program.
The researchers were receiving positive feedback from exercise participants and community centres, but Public Health Orders last spring saw the first round of exercise programs end early when municipal recreation centres closed in a bid to reduce community transmission of the virus. With rapidly rising case numbers, participants were disappointed but understanding.
Rather than postpone the project until community centres reopened, the research team immediately began developing new plans.
“We were hearing from men taking part in the program that they were seeing physical and psychosocial benefits from participation. They were keen to continue taking SIRvivor BC classes,” notes Dr. Campbell.
From that planning came several adaptations to allow men across British Columbia to continue accessing the program. A virtual program delivered on the Zoom platform allows participants to join from anywhere in the province, exercising under the watchful eye of an exercise professional with additional training in leading exercise for men with cancer.
More recently, a community centre in the District of North Vancouver chose to offer the SIRvivor BC program outdoors – taking advantage of park space to ensure physical distancing while meeting the needs of exercisers. Outdoor programs also do not have the intensity level restrictions included in COVID-19 safety measures, making delivery more straightforward compared to exercise classes indoors.
“We’re excited that we can continue offering SIRvivor BC to men who are eager for an exercise program designed for them,” says Dr Campbell. “The ultimate goal is to help men with prostate cancer live longer and better lives. By adapting exercise programs to allow men to continue accessing them, even during a pandemic, we can learn even more about how to improve access to exercise across BC.”