Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) experience unfavourbale changes in body composition and associated metabolic complications, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
PURPOSE: To examine the effect of a 6-month program of aerobic and resistance exercise aimed at improving body composition and cardiorespiratory health in this patient population.
METHODS: Ninety-seven men (43-90 years) with localised prostate cancer receiving ADT were randomized to either exercise (EX, n=50) or usual care (CON, n=47). Supervised exercise was undertaken twice-weekly at moderate-to-high intensity. Measures of cardiorespiratory capacity (VO2max), resting metabolic rate, central blood pressure, hemodynamic variables, blood markers, and body composition were assessed.
RESULTS: There was a significant group by time interaction present for VO2max (p=0.033) with a treatment effect for EX of 0.11 (95% CI, 0.04-0.19) L.min-1, and fat oxidation (p=0.037) of 12.0 (95% CI, 2.3-21.7) mg.min-1. Similarly, there was a significant improvement in glucose (p<0.001) for EX of -0.5 (95% CI, -0.8 to -0.3) mmol/L, with no change in PSA or testosterone as a result of exercise. Body composition was enhanced for EX with adjusted mean differences in lean mass (p=0.015) of 0.8 (95% CI, 0.3-1.3) kg, total fat mass (p = 0.020) of -1.1 (95% CI, -1.8 to -0.5) kg, and trunk fat mass (p < 0.001) of -1.0 (95% CI, -1.4 to -0.6) kg.
CONCLUSION: We conclude that a 6-month combined aerobic and resistance exercise program has a significant favourable impact on cardiorespiratory capacity, resting fat oxidation, glucose and body composition despite the adverse effects of hormone suppression. Combined aerobic and resistance training should be considered a key adjuvant component in men undergoing ADT for the treatment of prostate cancer.
