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Effects of high-intensity interval training compared with resistance training in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a randomized controlled trial

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 24, pages 156–165 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background

Exercise training has shown beneficial effects in the management of radiotherapy-related side effects in prostate cancer (PCa) patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). However, the optimal modality of the exercise programs have not been yet determined. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and resistance training (RES) compared to usual care (UC) on cancer-treatment-related fatigue (CTRF) (primary outcome), quality of life, depression, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, sleep quality, functional exercise capacity and executive function in PCa patients during RT.

Methods

PCa patients undergoing RT with or without ADT were randomized in HIIT, RES or UC. Both exercise programs included three sessions per week during 5–8 weeks. HIIT consisted of 8–15 × 60 s intervals (≥85% maximal heart rate). RES was performed with 1–3 sets of 8–12 repetitions for each large muscle groups. The primary outcome was changed in CTRF measured with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue.

Results

Seventy-two subjects (69.1 ± 8.2 years) completed the study. No exercise-related adverse events occurred. HIIT (p = 0.012) and RES (p = 0.039) training attenuated increases in CTRF compared to UC. Functional exercise capacity, evaluated by the 6-min walk test, increased after HIIT (p = 0 = 0.43) and RES (p = 0.041) compared to UC (+0.1%). No other secondary variables were different between groups.

Conclusions

Both intervention groups displayed beneficial effects on CTRF and functional exercise capacity in PCa patients undergoing RT. In addition, HIIT and RES are both safe with an excellent attendance rate to the exercise sessions.

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Fig. 1: Overview of HIIT protocol of the first session.
Fig. 2: CONSORT flow diagram.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants of the studies, Laura Danneaux for her help in recruiting participants. EP was supported by a grant from the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (FRIA - FNRS). GR was supported by a grant from the Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium).

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Author notes

  1. These author Contributed equally: Gilles Caty, Gregory Reychler

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pôle de Neuro Musculo Skeletal Lab, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium

    Elise Piraux & Gilles Caty

  2. Pôle de Pneumologie, ORL & Dermatologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium

    Elise Piraux & Gregory Reychler

  3. Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neurosciences, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium

    Elise Piraux & Gilles Caty

  4. Service de médecine physique et réadaptation, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium

    Gilles Caty

  5. Department of Radiation Oncology, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium

    Laurette Renard & Xavier Geets

  6. Pôle de Recherche Cardiovasculaire, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium

    David Vancraeynest

  7. Division of Cardiology, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium

    David Vancraeynest

  8. Service d’urologie, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium

    Bertrand Tombal

  9. Molecular Imaging, Radiotherapy and Oncology, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium

    Xavier Geets

  10. Haute Ecole Léonard de Vinci, PARNASSE-ISEI, Brussels, Belgium

    Gregory Reychler

  11. Secteur de kinésithérapie, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium

    Gregory Reychler

  12. Service de Pneumologie, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium

    Gregory Reychler

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Piraux, E., Caty, G., Renard, L. et al. Effects of high-intensity interval training compared with resistance training in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a randomized controlled trial. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 24, 156–165 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-020-0259-6

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