Individualized 12-Week Exercise Training Programs Enhance Aerobic Capacity of Cancer Survivors

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 (PT_lact), peak power (P_peak), 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 (T_lact) obtained during a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test. Intensity was categorized into 5 ranges: recovery (60%–80% HR T_lact); endurance (80%–100% HR T_lact); threshold (100%–105% HR T_lact); intervals (105%–115% HR T_lact); and maximal efforts (≥ 115% HR T_lact). 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, PT_lact increased 9.5% (121.8 ± 43.5 vs 133.2 ± 34.1 W; P < 0.05), P_peak 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.

Keywords:

• aerobic capacity
• VO₂
• peak
• training
• cancer