Authors
Peter Smoak, University of Northern Colorado
Victoria Flores, University of Northern Colorado
Nicholas Harman, University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute
Jonathon Lisano, University of Northern Colorado
Reid Hayward, University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute
Laura Stewart, University of Northern Colorado
International Journal of Exercise Science 14(3): 162-176, 2021.
DOI: 10.70252/AJQK9649
Abstract
The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore physical activity, depression, fatigue, and quality of life (QOL), and their relationship to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in cancer survivors enrolled in a structured exercise program. Participants were recruited into two groups: in-treatment (IT), currently receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, and out of treatment (OT), not undergoing therapy. Participants wore accelerometers for 7 days and completed cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and depression, fatigue, and QOL assessments. Circulating BDNF and NGF concentrations were obtained using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Thirty-two participants (IT: n = 13, OT: n = 19) with an average age of 63 years and BMI of 27.5, spent 78% of their waking hours engaged in sedentary behavior outside of exercise training. Significant correlations were observed between light physical activity (LPA) outside of exercise training and QOL in IT (r = 0.626, p = 0.030), and fatigue in OT (r = 0.553, p = 0.021). Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) outside of exercise training significantly correlated with leg press strength (r = 0.700, p = 0.008) in IT, and cardiorespiratory fitness (r = 0.440, p = 0.013) when groups were combined. Concentrations of NGF did not differ between groups, and in IT, BDNF was positively related to LPA outside of training and was significantly lower (87 ± 28.5 pg/mL) than in OT (137 ± 54 pg/mL; p=0.010). While structured exercise programs should focus on improving cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength during exercise training, these programs should consider physical activity outside of training, if well-tolerated, to potentially further lower fatigue and improve QOL in cancer survivors.
Recommended Citation
Smoak, Peter; Flores, Victoria; Harman, Nicholas; Lisano, Jonathon; Hayward, Reid; and Stewart, Laura (2021) “Structured Exercise in Cancer Survivors: Is it Enough for Neural, Mental Health and Well-being?,” International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 14 : Iss. 3, Pages 162 – 176.
DOI: 10.70252/AJQK9649