Exercise capacity and quality of life in cancer survivors after completion of a survivorship focused exercise program.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 169-169
Author(s):  
Rebecca Jones ◽  
Trish Harrison ◽  
Doug Mesara

169 Background: Exercise is a key component in addressing the concerns of cancer survivors. Only a third of survivors meet physical activity recommendations, and 70% of survivors are overweight/obese. For survivors, inactivity and obesity increase risks of recurrence, development of a second primary cancer, and higher mortality overall. Benefits of exercise include weight loss and improved quality of life. Survivorcise, a 12 week exercise program for survivors, was developed with the goal of improving exercise capacity and quality of life. Methods: Survivorcise is a small group exercise program meeting for 60 minutes, twice a week, for 12 weeks. Pre and post testing of strength, balance, and aerobic capacity and pre and post quality of life surveys were completed. Results: Forty-four participants completed Survivorcise between 2015 and 2017. Paired t-test analysis of pre and post testing revealed significant improvements in upper body strength (p = 0.0001), lower body strength (p = 0.0001), and balance (p = 0.0071). Aerobic capacity (p = 0.1583) improved, but not significantly. Paired t-test analysis of pre and post quality of life surveys revealed significant improvements in patient perception of strength (p = 0.0001), stress (p = 0.0002), weight gain (p = 0.0002), adjusting to the new normal (p = 0.0031), depression (p = 0.0034), fatigue (p = 0.0089), change in mood/behavior (p = 0.0094), pain (p = 0.0118), and lymphedema (p = 0.0290). Patient perception of memory (p = 0.1002), balance, walking, and mobility (p = 0.1104), sleep disturbance (p = 0.1361), neuropathy (p = 0.1455), anxiety (p = 0.1537), nausea/vomiting (p = 0.1597), hot flashes (p = 0.2247), poor appetite (p = 0.4560), osteoporosis (p = 0.5748), falls, tripping, and stumbling (p = 0.6574), and weight loss (p = 0.7890) showed no significant change. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that Survivorcise is an effective tool for cancer survivors. The program significantly improved upper and lower body strength and balance. Participants self-reported significant improvement in perceived strength, stress, weight gain, adjusting to new normal, depression, fatigue, change in mood and behavior, pain, and lymphedema.

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 92-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Marzilli ◽  
Petra B. Schuler ◽  
Kristin F. Willhoit ◽  
Melissa F. Stepp

With the rapid growth of the number of Americans aged 65 or older resulting in expectations of doubling the number of the population in that age bracket, health professionals and fitness experts will be called upon to develop and implement methods for keeping this population as healthy as possible for as long as possible, and to aid these individuals with retaining their quality of life. This study examined whether incorporating a low-cost, community-based strength and flexibility program would improve performancebased measures of strength, flexibility, and endurance in older (57 to 82 yr.; M = 68 yr., SD = 5 yr.) African-American adults. Evaluated components were upper body strength (maximal amount of weighted arm curls), lower body strength (maximal amount of chair-ups), upper body flexibility (backscratch), lower body flexibility (modified sit-and-reach), and aerobic endurance (maximal distance covered in 6 minutes). Twenty African-American adults (5 male and 15 female) volunteered to participate in five weeks of strength and flexibility training (twice per week, 60 min. per session). Posttest results showed performance improvements for all five measured parameters, with significant improvements found for upper- and lower- body strength and lower body flexibility. Additionally, the structure of this exercise program resulted in adherence rates of more than 80%. In light of these findings, it is important that the design of strength and flexibility programs for older adults be implemented through the collaboration of health professionals and fitness experts; it is with this multifaceted approach to aging that an improvement in quality of life in later years can be achieved successfully.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S170-S170
Author(s):  
Crystal Bennett ◽  
Nathalie Angel ◽  
Madeleine Hackney

Abstract The purpose of this secondary analysis was to assess the relationship between objective and subjective perceptions of motor function measures in older adults following a 12 week adapted tango or health education intervention. A quasi-experimental, two-group, repeated-measures design was used. The study took place in diverse senior independent living communities in an urban metropolitan area. 74 older adults participated (Tango: n= 62, age: 82.3 (8.81) years; Education: n=12, age: 84.1 (7.86) years). Participants were assigned to 20 sessions of 90-minute tango (n = 62) or health education (n = 12) classes over 12 weeks. Motor function, depression, mental and physical quality of life were measured before and after intervention. At post-test, participants indicated their level of agreement with statements that they improved in the objectively measured domains of motor function. Correlations were performed between subjectively rated agreement, and changes in motor function and depression/quality of life. Tango subjective ratings were negatively correlated with empirically observed improvements in balance (r= -.423) and endurance (r= -.241); although their ratings moderately correlated positively with coordination (r=.319) and minimally correlated positively with lower body strength (r=.188). In Tango, decreased depression was positively correlated with self-perceived improved lower body strength (r=.271) and endurance (r= .254). Improved mental function was moderately (r=.423) positively correlated with self-perceived improved balance and coordination (r=.306). After rehabilitation, even in the presence of improved depression and quality of life, older adults may not perceive empirically observed motor function improvements, particularly in balance and lower body strength.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 5965
Author(s):  
Juan Lopez-Barreiro ◽  
Pablo Hernandez-Lucas ◽  
Jose Luis Garcia-Soidan ◽  
Vicente Romo-Perez

Impaired balance and lower body weakness are the main causes of falls, which are considered to be the major cause of fractures and head injuries in the elderly and are recognised as a serious health problem. The aim of this study is to observe the effect of eccentric training, introducing new technologies (gliding discs), on body composition, lower body strength, balance and quality of life. A quasi-experimental study was carried out with 56 healthy participants who were divided into an experimental group (n = 31) who underwent the protocol consisting of 12 training sessions and a control group (n = 25) who did not undergo the training. Before and after the intervention, all participants underwent a measurement of body composition, the SJ jump, balance with accelerometry and quality of life with the Short Form 12 Health Survey. In the experimental group, statistically significant improvements were found in the variables balance and lower body strength. The application of this training protocol improves lower body strength and the ability to control balance in the adult population.


Cancer ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 123 (7) ◽  
pp. 1249-1258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda L. Irwin ◽  
Brenda Cartmel ◽  
Maura Harrigan ◽  
Fangyong Li ◽  
Tara Sanft ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 163-163
Author(s):  
Jeanne M. Ferrante ◽  
Michelle Doose ◽  
Alicja Bator ◽  
Katie Devine ◽  
Pamela Ohman Strickland ◽  
...  

163 Background: Obesity is associated with higher breast cancer recurrence and death, and poorer health and quality of life. African-American (AA) women have the highest prevalence of obesity, obesity-related comorbidities, and breast cancer mortality compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Weight loss after breast cancer diagnosis may lower rates of recurrence and improve fitness, fatigue, and quality of life. Methods: This 6-month randomized controlled trial pilot-tests the use of a Fitbit activity tracker (Fitbit only group) versus Fitbit plus SparkPeople, a free web-based weight loss program (combined group) among 70 AA breast cancer survivors. Paired t-tests assess changes from baseline to 6-months among each participant in primary (weight, body mass index [BMI], percent body fat) and secondary (24-hour caloric intake, daily number of steps, quality of life, self-monitoring strategies, self-efficacy) outcomes. Two-group t-tests assess differences in outcomes between the two groups. Results: Currently, 36 of 46 (78.3%) eligible participants have enrolled and completed baseline assessments. Mean age of participants is 61.7 years (SD 8.7) and mean BMI is 36.9 (SD 7.0). Analyses of the first 25 participants who completed 3-month assessments (Fitbit only N = 12; combined group N = 13) show significant weight loss in both groups; Fitbit only: mean weight change -6.73 pounds, SD 4.61, p < 0.001; mean BMI change -0.96 kg/m2, SD 0.84, p = 0.002; combined group: mean weight change -5.95 pounds, SD 5.84, p = 0.003; mean BMI change -1.03 kg/m2, SD 0.77, p < 0.001. All participants significantly increased tracking of diet (Fitbit only p = 0.016; combined group p < 0.001) and physical activity (Fitbit only p < 0.001; combined group p = 0.001). Though not significant, combined group participants showed greater increases in self-efficacy for eating healthy and reducing fat and calories, and increases in daily steps (+1308 vs. +285 for Fitbit only group). Preliminary analyses show no statistically significant difference in changes in outcomes from baseline to 3 months between the two groups. Conclusions: Both programs show potential as convenient and efficient weight loss methods for African-American breast cancer survivors. Clinical trial information: NCT02699983.


2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn P. Roland ◽  
Jennifer M. Jakobi ◽  
Gareth R. Jones

Interest in yoga is growing, especially among older adults. This review critically summarizes the current literature to investigate whether physical fitness and function benefits are engendered through the practice of yoga in older adults. A comprehensive search yielded 507 studies; 10 studies with 544 participants (69.6 ± 6.3 yr, 71% female) were included. Large variability in yoga styles and measurement outcomes make it challenging to interpret results across studies. Studies reported moderate improvements for gait (ES = 0.54, 0.80), balance (ES = 0.25–1.61), upper/lower body flexibility (ES = 0.25, 0.70), lower body strength (ES = 0.51), and weight loss (ES = 0.73, 0.99). Yoga may engender improvements in some components of fitness in older adults. However, more evidence is needed to determine its effectiveness as an alternative exercise to promote fitness in older adults. Further investigation into yoga as an exercise activity for older adults is warranted.


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