Exercise as Medicine for Cancer Survivors: Improvements in Mobility, Endurance, and Fatigue After 12 Weeks
Faculty Mentor Name
Alexis King
Research or Creativity Area
Health Sciences
Abstract
Introduction: Cancer survivors often experience declines in strength, endurance, and mobility secondary to treatment-related fatigue, deconditioning, and comorbidities1,2. Exercise is recognized as a cornerstone of survivorship care to restore physical function and improve quality of life. This study examined functional outcomes of a 12-week community-based exercise program among adult cancer survivors.
Methods: Twenty cancer survivors (Male 4, Female 16; mean age 66.9±10.4 y; BMI 28.3±6.5 kg/m²) completed a 12-week program. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included 30-s Chair Stand, Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), right-hand grip strength, Fatigue Severity Index (FSI), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and vitals. Paired t-tests evaluated change; effect sizes are Cohen's d. Exploratory analyses examined clinically meaningful change thresholds and dose–response with recorded exercise sessions.
Results: Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in multiple functional outcomes: Chair Stand +2.95 reps (10.32→13.26), d=2.41, p<0.001; faster TUG −0.78s (7.21→6.43), d=1.76, p<0.001; 6MWT distance +185 ft (1478→1663 ft), d=1.32, p<0.001; 6MWT % predicted +12.8 points (99.9→112.6%), d=1.28, p<0.001. Self-reported activity increased: IPAQ category +0.50 levels (p=0.004) and IPAQ total +1,096 MET-min·wk⁻¹ (p=0.009). Fatigue decreased: FSI −15.6 points (39.9→24.4), d=1.01, p=0.0002. Grip strength (right) increased +3.25lb (p=0.030). Trends were observed for ↓Borg RPE during 6MWT (−0.55, p=0.150), and small reductions in BP + resting HR ( p>0.12). Clinically meaningful gains were achieved by 30% (6MWT ≥164 ft), 35% (TUG ≥0.8 s faster), and 100% (Chair Stand ≥2 reps). Recorded attendance averaged 29.6±12.6 sessions; the correlation between sessions and 6MWT change was insignificant (r=−0.32, p=0.18).
Conclusion: A community-based exercise program for cancer survivors improved mobility, muscular endurance, walking capacity, and fatigue. The findings reinforce the value of structured, evidence-based exercise in survivorship care. Future work should explore long-term adherence, cancer-type–specific responses, and integration with oncology rehabilitation services.
Purpose
Cancer survivors often experience declines in strength, endurance, and mobility secondary to treatment-related fatigue, deconditioning, and comorbidities1,2. Exercise is recognized as a cornerstone of survivorship care to restore physical function and improve quality of life. This study examined functional outcomes of a 12-week community-based exercise program among adult cancer survivors.
Results
Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in multiple functional outcomes: Chair Stand +2.95 reps (10.32→13.26), d=2.41, p<0.001; faster TUG −0.78s (7.21→6.43), d=1.76, p<0.001; 6MWT distance +185 ft (1478→1663 ft), d=1.32, p<0.001; 6MWT % predicted +12.8 points (99.9→112.6%), d=1.28, p<0.001. Self-reported activity increased: IPAQ category +0.50 levels (p=0.004) and IPAQ total +1,096 MET-min·wk⁻¹ (p=0.009). Fatigue decreased: FSI −15.6 points (39.9→24.4), d=1.01, p=0.0002. Grip strength (right) increased +3.25lb (p=0.030). Trends were observed for ↓Borg RPE during 6MWT (−0.55, p=0.150), and small reductions in BP + resting HR ( p>0.12). Clinically meaningful gains were achieved by 30% (6MWT ≥164 ft), 35% (TUG ≥0.8 s faster), and 100% (Chair Stand ≥2 reps). Recorded attendance averaged 29.6±12.6 sessions; the correlation between sessions and 6MWT change was insignificant (r=−0.32, p=0.18).
Significance
A community-based exercise program for cancer survivors improved mobility, muscular endurance, walking capacity, and fatigue. The findings reinforce the value of structured, evidence-based exercise in survivorship care. Future work should explore long-term adherence, cancer-type–specific responses, and integration with oncology rehabilitation services.
Exercise as Medicine for Cancer Survivors: Improvements in Mobility, Endurance, and Fatigue After 12 Weeks
Introduction: Cancer survivors often experience declines in strength, endurance, and mobility secondary to treatment-related fatigue, deconditioning, and comorbidities1,2. Exercise is recognized as a cornerstone of survivorship care to restore physical function and improve quality of life. This study examined functional outcomes of a 12-week community-based exercise program among adult cancer survivors.
Methods: Twenty cancer survivors (Male 4, Female 16; mean age 66.9±10.4 y; BMI 28.3±6.5 kg/m²) completed a 12-week program. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included 30-s Chair Stand, Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), right-hand grip strength, Fatigue Severity Index (FSI), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and vitals. Paired t-tests evaluated change; effect sizes are Cohen's d. Exploratory analyses examined clinically meaningful change thresholds and dose–response with recorded exercise sessions.
Results: Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in multiple functional outcomes: Chair Stand +2.95 reps (10.32→13.26), d=2.41, p<0.001; faster TUG −0.78s (7.21→6.43), d=1.76, p<0.001; 6MWT distance +185 ft (1478→1663 ft), d=1.32, p<0.001; 6MWT % predicted +12.8 points (99.9→112.6%), d=1.28, p<0.001. Self-reported activity increased: IPAQ category +0.50 levels (p=0.004) and IPAQ total +1,096 MET-min·wk⁻¹ (p=0.009). Fatigue decreased: FSI −15.6 points (39.9→24.4), d=1.01, p=0.0002. Grip strength (right) increased +3.25lb (p=0.030). Trends were observed for ↓Borg RPE during 6MWT (−0.55, p=0.150), and small reductions in BP + resting HR ( p>0.12). Clinically meaningful gains were achieved by 30% (6MWT ≥164 ft), 35% (TUG ≥0.8 s faster), and 100% (Chair Stand ≥2 reps). Recorded attendance averaged 29.6±12.6 sessions; the correlation between sessions and 6MWT change was insignificant (r=−0.32, p=0.18).
Conclusion: A community-based exercise program for cancer survivors improved mobility, muscular endurance, walking capacity, and fatigue. The findings reinforce the value of structured, evidence-based exercise in survivorship care. Future work should explore long-term adherence, cancer-type–specific responses, and integration with oncology rehabilitation services.
