Cancer Rehabilitation: Impact of Physical Activity on Initial Clinical Assessments

Abstract

Background: Preconditioning and prehabilitation have been reported to ameliorate a host of health- and cancer-related issues, yet few studies have examined implications of past physical activity (PA) on physiological and psychological parameters in cancer survivors. Implications of prior PA on physiological and psychosocial variables in cancer survivors were acquired during an initial assessment prior to participation in a cancer rehabilitation program. Methods: Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak), fatigue (Piper Fatigue Scale, PFS), and depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI) were measured (N = 807; 67 ± 13 years). PA groups were divided by self-reported prior PA history (Group 1 = none; Group 2 < 150 min/week; Group 3 ≥ 150 min/week). Results: Significant (P < 0.05) main effects for PA were observed among all variables except the PFS affective subscale. Groups 1 and 3 were significantly (P < 0.05) different for BDI. Groups 1 and 3 were significantly (P < 0.05) different for the total, sensory, and cognitive subscales of the PFS. Finally, Groups 1 and 3, and Groups 2 and 3 differed significantly (P < 0.05) for the behavioral, sensory, and cognitive subscales of the PFS. Conclusion: Cancer survivors with prior PA levels ≥ 150 min/week performed better on measures of VO2peak, were significantly less fatigued and depressed at initial assessment.