The Effect Of Strength Training On Body Composition In Prostate Cancer Survivors On Adt: Preliminary Findings From A One-year Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common treatment for prostate cancer survivors with advanced disease. Side effects of ADT are rapid bone and muscle loss and fat gain that can compromise physical function and increase the risk of comorbid conditions. PURPOSE: To present preliminary data from a recently completed randomized controlled trial of one-year of strength training (STR) versus a control program of flexibility training (FLEX) in prostate cancer survivors on ADT. METHODS: To date, 37 men completed baseline and 12 month testing and were randomized to one year of STR (N=26) or FLEX (N=11). Select measures include: Total body fat mass, total body lean mass, % body fat (%BF) and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar L1-L4 spine, total hip, femoral neck, and greater trochanter. Separate 2 (group) × 2 (time) RM-ANOVAs for each outcome measure were run to examine significant group × time interactions (p<.05). RESULTS: After one year, there was a significant group × time interaction for total fat mass (p=.03; Table 1). There were no other significant differences over time between groups for remaining variables (Table 1.).TABLE 1: Changes in body composition over 12 months for STR and FLEX groups. Soft tissue changes are reported as difference in mean scores and BMD as % changeCONCLUSION: These preliminary data suggest that one year of strength training can prevent an increase in fat mass in men on ADT for prostate cancer. Definitive conclusions are precluded until the final analyses are complete. Supported by the Lance Armstrong Foundation