The effects of combined training on strength and aerobic power in patients with cancer

Abstract

Although exercise is considered an effective strategy for mitigating problems caused by cancer, little is known about the effects of combined training (CT) in cancer patients. Six men (68.94 ± 11.79 yrs old, 66.68 ± 7.36 kg, 167 ± 8.02 cm) and 6 women (64.07 ± 11.46 yrs old, 74.70 ± 12.89 kg; 160 ± 10.01 cm) with cancer were subjected to 20 wks of CT (3 d·wk-1). Each session consisted of 40 min of aerobic exercise (60 to 70%) of maximum heart rate and 3 sets of 12 to 15 repetitions at 50 to 60% of 1RM. The VO2 max was estimated by the 1 Mile Walk Test and strength was estimated through 1RM prediction. The Student t-test was used to identify differences between each assessment. Cohen’s D criterion was used to calculate the effect size of the variables in the two moments, adopting the significance level of P<0.05. The results indicated that there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in strength in the following exercises: chair abductor (58.40 ± 11.90 vs. 73.05 ± 15.00); shoulder press (10.22 ± 5.30 vs. 17.63 ± 6.21); back lat pulldown (21.06 ± 4.99 vs. 27.36 ± 7.60); and peck-deck (32.91 ± 11.11 vs. 46.80 ± 14.58). There was no statistically significant change in VO2 max. Therefore, while the combined training resulted in an improvement in strength, it did not improve the cancer patients’ aerobic capacity.