Exercise can counteract some of the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment. Epidemiological and mechanistic data suggest that exercise can influence cancer hallmarks, survival, and recurrence. Our pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of a single bout of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in childhood cancer patients. The predefined feasibility criteria included recruitment rate, acceptability, practicability, and data acquisition. Very strict inclusion criteria and surveillance guaranteed safety, and no severe adverse events occurred. Our HIIT protocol is applicable only in a small number of childhood cancer patients. Blood lactate concentrations and heart rates significantly increased after HIIT, indicating that the patients achieved the targeted high exercise intensity. In conclusion, our preliminary data suggest that HIIT is safe and feasible in a small number of childhood cancer patients who do not suffer from severe side effects of treatment. Additional exercise protocols should be developed for patients with pronounced cancer-related impairments and health restrictions.
This projekt was executed in colaboration with Kinderklinik München Schwabing (PD Dr. med. I. Teichert-von Lüttichau und Dr. Sabine Kesting) and is one part of the PhD Thesis of MSc Peter Weeber (TUM, Exercise Biology)
More information and the full-text you will find in the journal CANCERS following this direct link.