Effects of resistance exercise in prostate cancer patients

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this systematic review is to provide an update on the effects of resistance exercise (RE) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa), with special attention to the effects on sexual health. Methods A systematic search of the literature was conducted in March 2020 using the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and the Cochrane Library. Only randomized, controlled trials published after 31 December 2016 were included in this update. Additionally, articles from current and previous reviews were utilized to provide a brief summary of the effects on sexual health. Results A total of 10 articles met the inclusion criteria, of which 5 were identified as independent studies. The remaining five articles presented additional data for studies, which have already been included. The identified studies further strengthened the evidence for positive effects on muscle strength, body composition and physical function. Positive effects on bone mineral density were apparent only when RE was combined with impact training. One article reported an improvement in fatigue and health-related quality of life. Only one study examined the effects of RE in isolation and three articles indicated positive effects of exercise on sexual health. Conclusion Recent evidence supports the use of RE in PCa patient rehabilitation as a countermeasure for All authors are employees of the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, and the preparation of this review took place within the scope of their regular scientific work.

Resistance Exercise in Prostate Cancer Patients: a Short Review

“…Unfortunately, and most probably due to misconceptions of RE and hence the avoidance of the presumed risk of RE, the first studies investigating the effects of RE in cancer patients, regarding the risk of lymphedema in breast cancer patients [11] and the effects of moderate-intensity RE on the quality of life, body composition and muscular fitness in PCaP [12], were not published until 14 years later in 2003. Knowing the effects of RE in healthy subjects, PCaP on ADT seemed at the time to be the perfect target group for RE, meanwhile an assumption supported by ample evidence [13][14][15]. Indeed, the vast majority of studies investigating the effects of RE were conducted on PCaP receiving ADT.…”

“…Indeed, the vast majority of studies investigating the effects of RE were conducted on PCaP receiving ADT. Specifically, RE alone or in combination with endurance exercise has been shown to improve the body composition, muscle strength, cardiovascular capacity, physical functioning and fatigue of PCaP [13][14][15]. Moreover, the first study on PCaP with bone metastatic disease was published in 2011 [16].…”

“…Moreover, the first study on PCaP with bone metastatic disease was published in 2011 [16]. However, trials not excluding patients with bone metastatic disease, as well as those investigating the effects of free weight exercises, are still rare [13][14][15].…”

“…As an important component of the quality of life, sexual health has received little attention in PCaP [13]. Although some aspects of sexual health have been reported to improve by the implementation of RE, further appropriately designed studies are necessary to ascertain the effects of RE on sexual health [13].…”

Fasting and Exercise in Oncology: Potential Synergism of Combined Interventions

“…A recent meta-analysis of 21 clinical trials in prostate cancer patients reported that exercise, primarily resistance exercise, significantly reduced fat mass by 0.6 kg and increased lean mass by 0.5 kg after a mean intervention period of 20 weeks [89]. Resistance exercise is effective in improving, or at least maintaining, lean mass by counteracting impaired anabolic signal pathways and inhibiting the cellular atrophy mechanism during ADT [90]. Fat mass has been more commonly investigated in patients with breast or colon cancer given the strong links between adipocytokines/obesity-related markers and these cancers [91].…”