High‐intensity resistance and cardiovascular training improve physical capacity in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of a supervised high- and low-intensity structured training program in cancer patients concurrently undergoing chemotherapy. Seventy patients, in different stages of the disease and with different diagnoses (48 females, 22 males), between 18 and 65 years of age (mean age 42.8) participated in a 9-h weekly training program over 6 weeks. The intervention involved physical exercise, relaxation, massage, and body-awareness training. Physical capacity (one-repetition maximum tests (1RM), VO2max) and body composition (weight, skin-fold) were compared before and after the exercise intervention. The average increase in muscular strength was 41.3% (P<0.001) and 14.5% in aerobic fitness (pre: 2.27+/-0.597 L/min, post: 2.56+/-0.644 L/min, (P<0.001). The exercise intervention significantly increased the weight of the subjects by 1% (pre: 72.62+/-13.42 kg, post: 73.25+/-13.44 kg, P=0.016). There was a significant decrease in skin-fold measurements by 3% (P=0.031). The exercise intervention was well tolerated, provided that daily screening criteria were adhered to. The effects of resistance and cardiovascular training observed in this short-term study support the theory that exercise is a beneficial intervention strategy for increasing muscle strength and aerobic fitness during antineoplastic chemotherapy. This type of exercise program can be an important component of complementary treatment for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Anaerobic exercise reduces tumor growth, cancer cachexia and increases macrophage and lymphocyte response in Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats

“…In addition, exercise can inhibit catabolic mediators such as cortisol, improving body constitution (Baar and Esser 1999), and to reduce tumor growth promoting improvement of patient state (Westerlind et al 2003;Bacurau et al 2007). It has been reported that 6 weeks of high-intensity power exercise and aerobic training increased body weight and aerobic Wtness in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, attenuating some symptoms of cachexia syndrome (Quist et al 2006). In our study, anaerobic training partially prevented the development of cancer cachexia in Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats by reducing tumor growth, lactate and triacylglycerol concentration, body weight loss, PIF expression, and was able to maintain liver glycogen content.…”

The Role of Exercise in Cancer Survivorship

“…In one study, muscular strength increased by approximately 41% in patients who participated in a 6-week resistance training program (Quist et al, 2006). Likewise, a 12-month exercise program resulted in increases in upper body muscular strength and lower body endurance in breast cancer survivors (Wiggins & Simonavice, 2008).…”

Cancer prevention, aerobic capacity, and physical functioning in survivors related to physical activity: a recent review

“…[56][57][58] in aerobic fitness for 79 patients undergoing chemotherapy. 6 More importantly, subjects participating in the nine hours per week training program that lasted 6 weeks also showed an average increase in muscular strength of 41%. Wiggins and Simonavice found upper body muscular strength and lower body endurance increases in 6 breast cancer survivors from baseline to 12 months in a structured exercise program.…”

“…4 In addition, research over the last few years has clearly shown cardiorespiratory benefits (increases in aerobic capacity), increases in quality of life (QOL), and increases in physical functioning for cancer survivors who engage in exercise programs. [5][6][7] Furthermore, a 2004 report on diet and nutrition indicated that obesity and/or a sedentary lifestyle (both modifiable through diet and exercise) increases the risk for developing several types of cancer such as breast, colon, kidney, and endometrial cancer. 4 Thus, evidence continues to accumulate through research studies and reviews indicating a link between a physically active healthy lifestyle and improvements in mental and physical QOL in cancer survivors.…”