A pilot study examining the effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training and continuous low to moderate intensity training on quality of life, functional capacity and cardiovascular risk factors in cancer survivors.

Kellie Toohey,Desmond Yip,Julie Cooke,Paul S Craft,Stuart Semple,Leonard Arnolda,Kate L Pumpa

doi:10.7717/peerj.2613

Kellie Toohey, Desmond Yip + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2613

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Journal: PeerJ	Publication Date: Oct 20, 2016
Citations: 60	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Canberra, Australian National University

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training and continuous low to moderate intensity training on quality of life, functional capacity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in cancer survivors.MethodsCancer survivors within 24 months post-diagnosis were randomly assigned into the low-volume high-intensity interval training group (n = 8) or the continuous low to moderate intensity training group (n = 8) group for 36 sessions (12 weeks) of supervised exercise. The low-volume high-intensity interval training (LVHIIT) group performed 7 × 30 s intervals (≥85% maximal heart rate) and the continuous low to moderate intensity training (CLMIT) group performed continuous aerobic training for 20 min (≤55% maximal heart rate) on a stationary bike or treadmill.ResultsSignificant improvements (time) were observed for 13 of the 23 dependent variables (ES 0.05–0.61, p ≤ 0.05). An interaction effect was observed for six minute walk test (18.53% [32.43–4.63] ES 0.50, p ≤ 0.01) with the LVHIIT group demonstrating greater improvements.ConclusionThese preliminary findings suggest that both interventions can induce improvements in quality of life, functional capacity and selected cardiovascular disease risk factors. The LVHIIT program was well tolerated by the participants and our results suggest that LVHIIT is the preferred modality to improve fitness (6MWT); it remains to be seen which intervention elicits the most clinically relevant outcomes for patients. A larger sample size with a control group is required to confirm the significance of these findings.

Highlights

There is strong evidence indicating that cancer survivors may be at an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Hooning et al, 2007; Darby et al, 2013)
The growing body of evidence suggests that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may impart benefits that are greater than those elicited through low or moderate intensity training in healthy populations, but less has been published on cancer survivors (Adamsen et al, 2009)
An interaction effect was observed for C-reactive protein (CRP), this was due to an increase in the continuous low to moderate intensity training (CLMIT) group (19.44% [−1.75–40.64]) and only a small decrease in the low-volume high-intensity interval training (LVHIIT) group (−5.95% [−43.18–31.28])

Summary

Introduction

There is strong evidence indicating that cancer survivors may be at an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Hooning et al, 2007; Darby et al, 2013). This may be as a result of cancer related therapy and changes in lifestyle patterns after diagnosis (Hooning et al, 2007). The growing body of evidence suggests that HIIT may impart benefits that are greater than those elicited through low or moderate intensity training in healthy populations, but less has been published on cancer survivors (Adamsen et al, 2009)

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