Functional Training Protocol in Men with Prostate Cancer: A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

have side effects associated with the disease and its treatment, including urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, depressive symptoms, anguish, and a decrease in physical function [4-6]. Fortunately, studies have demonstrated that regular physical exercise can minimize these side effects [7]. Current literature emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity in the general population [8,9]. Physical activity has also been shown to be beneficial in patients with cancer who have psychological and physical concerns [7]. At least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of intensive physical activity per week is recommended in patients with cancer [8]. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has similar recommendations and further suggests that resistance training be performed twice a week to improve general physical health [10]. In addition, researchers have suggested a combination of resistance and aerobic training in men with prostate cancer [11], because these patients tend to have treatment-related muscle loss, cardiorespiratory decline, urinary incontinence, and muscular fatigue. However, data on physical activity protocols in patients with cancer are lacking. The only physical activities that have been evaluated include walking [12] and aerobic exercise combined with resistance training [13-15]. In addition, some studies have assessed behavioral support [16-18] and pelvic floor training [19]. Functional training is one of the modalities that combine resis