ASPO Abstracts
Effects of a circuit, interval-based exercise program on metabolic syndrome and sarcopenic obesity among Black and Hispanic cancer survivors
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2023
Abstract Body:
Background: Cancer survivors are at a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and sarcopenic obesity, both of which exacerbate risk of poor survivorship outcomes. Further, Hispanic and Black adults are more likely to be sedentary and obese compared to non-Hispanic white adults, increasing the risk of cardiometabolic comorbidities. While exercise can improve cardiometabolic health, few studies focus on the effects among minority cancer survivors. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine the impact of a 4-month exercise intervention on MetS and sarcopenic obesity in Black and Hispanic cancer survivors. Methods: Sedentary, breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer survivors who were overweight or obese, and self-identified as Black or Hispanic were randomized to exercise (n=30) or usual care (n=10). The exercise intervention included a supervised, circuit, interval-based aerobic and resistance training program, training 3 days/week for 4- months. Outcomes including MetS z-score and sarcopenic obesity (measured through appendicular skeletal mass index and BMI) were recorded at baseline and post- intervention. Results: Participants were 66 ± 10.4 years old, 78% overweight, 55% Hispanic, and 45% Black. Intervention adherence was 90% and post-intervention measures were available on all participants. Compared to usual care, MetS z-score (between group mean difference: -5.1, 95% CI, -7.1 to -2.5, p<0.001) and sarcopenic obesity (appendicular skeletal mass index: 2.6, 95% CI, 1.0 to 4.3, p<0.001; BMI: -1.5, 95% CI, -3.9 to -0.9, p=0.002) significantly improved post-intervention. Conclusions: A 4-month circuit, interval-based exercise intervention significantly improved MetS and sarcopenic obesity in Black and Hispanic cancer survivors. Our findings support that supervised exercise interventions may be effective to improve cardiometabolic health among Black and Hispanic cancer survivors and target existing cancer survivorship health disparities. Future research should continue to explore culturally tailored exercise programs and various exercise modalities in minority cancer survivor populations.
Keywords: Cancer health disparities, Cancer survivorship, Metabolic syndrome, Sarcopenic obesity, Exercise