ASPO Abstracts
High-intensity interval training improves functional performance, body composition and reported quality of life in a racially diverse group of cancer survivors
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Purpose: Given the well-documented benefits of regular exercise to cancer survivors, in
2012, an expert panel assembled by the American Cancer Society recommended that
patients engage in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical
activity. However, few patients meet this goal. We have also found racial differences in
reported participation in regular exercise among cancer survivors living in Metropolitan
Detroit, Michigan. The goal of this study was to pilot a 12-week pilot exercise
intervention (CAPABLE) that introduces cancer survivors to the sport of CrossFit®.
Methods: We evaluated the impact of CrossFit’s unique, high-intensity interval training
method on functional performance, cardiovascular endurance, body composition, and
health-related quality of life (HRQOL) as measured by the Functional Assessment of
Cancer Therapy (FACT) instrument. All measures were summarized at baseline and
study completion. Paired signed rank tests were used to assess change in each of these
measures over time. Results: Of 45 participants enrolled in the pilot, 34 (76%) were
considered adherent to the program (attending >75% of sessions over the 12-week
period). The mean age of participants was 58.7 years, 74% identified as African
American, and the majority of participants were breast cancer survivors (N=19). The
mean body mass index (BMI) at baseline was 33.1 kg/m2 decreasing to a mean of 31.9
kg/m2 at exit (BMI change -1.2, p<0.001). Similar changes were observed in % body fat
measured by bioelectrical impedance. There were significant improvements in all
measures of functional performance over 12-weeks (all p<0.001). We observed
significant and meaningful improvements in overall HRQOL (FACTG total change +9.6
(p<0.001)) and in each one of the individual domains (physical, social, emotional, and
functional well-being). Conclusions: Cancer survivors who participated in a high-
intensity interval training program demonstrated significant improvements in
performance, body composition, and quality of life. Understanding and eliminating
barriers to unique and effective exercise programs like the CrossFit-based CAPABLE
program are critical to improving outcomes and reducing cancer health disparities among
diverse groups of cancer survivors.
Keywords: Exercise, Intervention, Survivorship, Health Disparities