Physical activity levels and influencing factors among children with leukemia during chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study

Background: Physical activity is an important intervention method for promoting the physical and mental recovery of children with leukemia. How to maintain or enhance the physical activity level of these children during treatment remains a significant issue in clinical rehabilitation and health management. This study aimed to investigate factors influencing physical activity among pediatric leukemia patients during chemotherapy, providing a reference for clinical healthcare providers to develop targeted physical activity intervention programs. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed convenience sampling to recruit 205 pediatric leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy in the pediatric hematology departments of two tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province, China, from October 2024 to February 2025. Questionnaire data were analyzed using multiple linear regression to identify influencing factors. Results: < 0.001), collectively explaining 47.7% of the variance. Conclusion: Pediatric leukemia patients during chemotherapy demonstrate low physical activity levels, primarily influenced by chemotherapy phase, symptom burden, maternal support, and exercise self-efficacy. Clinical interventions should adopt a phased approach aligned with treatment intensity, emphasize family engagement, and incorporate individualized goal-setting to enhance children's physical activity participation and overall quality of life.