The Impact of Exercise Interventions on Prostate Cancer: Unpacking the Benefits of HIIT and MICT

Understanding the Effects of Exercise on Prostate Cancer

A recent meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs), involving 222 patients, explored the impact of different exercise interventions on low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients under active surveillance (AS). The findings are encouraging, showing that both high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) yielded significant benefits in improving peak oxygen consumption (peak VO) compared to usual care (UC). This suggests that patients with localized PCa under AS could consider either HIIT or MICT as part of their disease management strategy.

HIIT and Its Potential in Preventing Biochemical Progression

Interestingly, HIIT also demonstrated a significant benefit in reducing serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels compared with UC. This suggests its potential in preventing the biochemical progression of localized PCa. However, no significant difference was discerned in prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) or serum testosterone levels between the exercise intervention groups and UC. Despite these promising results, it's essential to note the limitations of the study, including a small sample size, lack of blinding, poor implementation of intention-to-treat strategy, and heterogeneity in intervention duration and training content.

Exercise as a Safe Disease Management Option

Nonetheless, the study underlines the safety and potential benefits of physical training therapy for improving the quality of life in localized PCa patients. This is aligned with an article from Springer that emphasizes the importance of physical activity as a means to mitigate the cardiotoxic effects of cancer treatment. It also discusses the need for tailored exercise programs for cancer patients and the potential benefits of aerobic exercise and resistance training.

Addressing Cardiometabolic Outcomes through Diet

Another point of consideration is the role of diet in managing cardiometabolic outcomes, particularly in prostate cancer survivors treated with androgen deprivation therapy. A study published in ScienceDirect, exploring the impact of diet on cardiometabolic outcomes, found inconsistent results. However, the research did demonstrate that a healthy Western style diet and exercise intervention improved blood pressure. This leads us to believe that diet, with or without exercise, may moderate the risk of cardiovascular disease in people treated with androgen deprivation therapy. This is important given the increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to metabolic complications associated with this treatment.

Integrative Therapeutic Methods for Improving Quality of Life

An article from MDPI titled 'Assessment of Integrative Therapeutic Methods for Improving the Quality of Life and Functioning in Cancer Patients—A Systematic Review' discusses the measures adopted for the recovery of psychological, emotional, social, and financial functioning in the case of cancer patients. This review emphasizes the role of physical and rehabilitation medicine in the management of oncological patients, both as an approach to the pathological concept itself and as an approach to the main clinical consequences and functional aspects of oncological therapies.

Conclusion

Overall, the evidence strongly suggests the potential benefits of exercise interventions such as HIIT and MICT for prostate cancer patients, particularly those under active surveillance. Furthermore, the integration of diet and other therapeutic methods may also play a significant role in managing the disease and improving quality of life. Future research should continue to investigate these areas, striving to provide more comprehensive and effective disease management strategies for those living with prostate cancer.