The Effect of Resistance and/or Aerobic Training on Quality of Life, Fitness, and Body Composition in Prostate Cancer Patients-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 39766184 · doi:10.3390/cancers16244286
What was done
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (searches in PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL through May 2024) evaluating structured resistance training (RT), aerobic training (AT), or combined RT/AT in prostate cancer patients undergoing various cancer treatments. The primary outcome was quality of life (QoL) assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-PR25 questionnaires. Secondary outcomes included body composition, physical fitness (strength and VO2 peak), and laboratory parameters (PSA, lipids). Data were pooled using random-effects models and risk of bias was appraised via GRADE.
What was found
Thirty RCTs comprising 2,216 prostate cancer patients were included. Combined RT/AT significantly improved global health status, cognitive function, and sexual function, while reducing fatigue and urinary symptoms. RT alone significantly increased lean body mass and decreased body fat percentage. Both RT and combined RT/AT significantly improved chest press and leg press strength and VO2 peak. No significant alterations were observed for PSA or lipid levels. Effects of isolated AT could not be reliably evaluated due to limited data. Specific point estimates, confidence intervals, and p-values were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis clarifies that structured resistance exercise, especially when combined with aerobic training, effectively counteracts common treatment-induced morbidities—such as sarcopenia, fatigue, and sexual/urinary dysfunction—without impacting PSA or metabolic biomarkers.
Limits
The abstract omits exact numerical effect sizes, variance, and confidence intervals. Isolated aerobic training remains understudied, preventing head-to-head comparisons between pure AT and pure RT. Heterogeneity across differing prostate cancer treatments and exercise prescription details (dose, intensity, duration) were not reported in the abstract, and long-term sustainability was unmeasured.
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