Individualized 12-week exercise training programs enhance aerobic capacity of cancer survivors

Riggs J. Klika, Kathleen E. Callahan, Scott N. Drum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Changes in aerobic capacity were evaluated after 12 weeks of training among a motivated heterogeneous group of cancer survivors (N = 54 [41 women and 13 men]), living at moderate altitude. Changes in power at lactate threshold (PTlact), peak power (Ppeak ), and peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) were evaluated in this group (average age, 53.8±10.8 years) that completed a minimum of 12 weeks of an individualized exercise program (on average 5 days·week-1 for 47.5±17.2 min·session-1). Daily exercise duration was based on the goals and functional capacity of each individual. Training intensity for each subject was based on heart rate (HR) value at lactate threshold (Tlact) obtained during a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test. Intensity was categorized into 5 ranges: recovery (60%-80% HR Tlact); endurance (80%-100% HR Tlact); threshold (100%-105% HR Tlact); intervals (105%-115% HR Tlact); and maximal efforts (≥ 115% HR Tlact). Overall compliance with the exercise prescription was ∼72% and subjects reported exercising within the 5 training ranges, 12.1%, 63.9%, 18.6%, 4.2%, and 1.2% of the time, respectively. After training, PTlact increased 9.5% (121.8 ±43.5 vs 133.2±34.1 W; P < 0.05), Ppeak increased 12.6% (175.5±55.6 vs 195.6±54.2 W; P < 0.05) and VO2 peak increased 11.4% (33.4 ±12.5 vs 37.2±10.4 mL·kg -1·min-1; P < 0.05). The results of this research indicate that: 1) cardiopulmonary exercise testing with lactate threshold determination was safe and effective in the evaluation and exercise prescription phase for a group of cancer survivors and 2) a training program based on 2 higher intensity workouts per week can elicit significant changes in aerobic capacity of a diverse group of cancer survivors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)68-77
Number of pages10
JournalPhysician and Sportsmedicine
Volume37
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aerobic capacity
  • Cancer
  • Peak
  • Training
  • VO

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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