Does Androgen Deprivation for Prostate Cancer Affect Normal Adaptation to Resistance Exercise?
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 35409505 · doi:10.3390/ijerph19073820
What was done
Authors conducted separate meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the effects of heavy-load resistance training (RT) on lean body mass and muscle strength (1-repetition maximum, 1 RM) between prostate cancer (PCa) patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and healthy elderly men (HEM). Relevant RCTs were identified through database searches and reference lists.
What was found
Seven RCTs in PCa patients (n = 449) and nine in HEM (n = 305) were included. - Lean body mass effects of RT were similar between PCa patients (SMD: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.7) and HEM (SMD: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.7). - Within-group patterns differed: PCa patients gained 0.2 kg with RT versus -0.6 kg in controls, whereas HEM gained 1.2 kg with RT versus 0.2 kg in controls. - RT strength gains (1 RM) were similar for lower-body exercises (PCa: SMD: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.5; HEM: SMD: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.0, 3.4) and upper-body exercises (PCa: SMD: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3, 2.7; HEM: SMD: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3, 2.6).
Why it matters
Resistance training produces robust strength gains in prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT that mirror those seen in healthy older adults, functioning primarily to counteract androgen-deprivation muscle loss rather than inducing substantial net hypertrophy.
Limits
Comparisons between PCa patients and healthy older men were conducted indirectly via separate meta-analyses rather than direct comparative trials. The aggregate sample sizes were relatively small (754 total participants across 16 studies), and the abstract lacks details on training adherence, program duration, and specific ADT regimens.
Cited by
- partial The adverse muscular side effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer patients can be fully overcome with resistance exercise, allowing patients to increase muscle mass and strength.