Prostate Cancer and the Role of Exercise

Today Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble and Balmain discuss prostate cancer and how exercise can form part of the treatment for this condition. 

Completing regular strengthening and aerobic exercise during and post prostate cancer treatment is deemed safe and vital to managing the main side effects of treatment. One of the most common forms of treatment for Prostate Cancer is ADT – Androgen Deprivation Therapy. The prostate needs androgens to grow, however during cancer it’s these hormones actually growing the tumour, needing to be controlled and stopped.

The main side effects of ADT are loss of muscle mass, increased body fat, increased fatigue and decreased bone density. Thankfully, specific resistance training has been shown to improve these side effects and the overall well being of patients going through the debilitating treatment. Aside from the physical benefits, the psychological benefits of being able to exercise regularly are massive.

So what type of exercise is best?

A landmark exercise study in 2010 by Galvao et al showed that patients actually INCREASED muscle mass compared to those who didn’t exercise during treatment. They also reported significant improvements in their quality of life and less fatigue.

As mentioned, resistance training is the key to all exercise programs for prostate cancer patients. This needs to be completed at least twice a week, but for optimal benefits three times a week. The strength program should target large muscle groups and take the muscle to its fatigue to elicit muscle growth. A landmark exercise study in 2010 by Galvao et al showed that patients actually INCREASED muscle mass compared to those who didn’t exercise during treatment. They also reported significant improvements in their quality of life and less fatigue. This was only over 12 weeks, the benefits past this would be even more substantial for those who continue training long term. From our own perspective, at Longevity we have seen the same results in men going through ADT treatment. The main feedback we get is how much more energy you feel after starting a program, as well as the mental satisfaction to be able to train safely still during treatment.  

Contact Longevity Personal Training and Exercise Physiology Edgecliff, Pymble, Marrickville, Randwick, Drummoyne, Balmain, Bella Vista on 1300 964 002 to enquire today.

References

1. Combined resistance and aerobic exercise program reverses muscle loss in men undergoing androgen suppression therapy for prostate cancer without bone metastases: a randomized controlled trial. Galvão DA, Taaffe DR, Spry N, Joseph D, Newton RU.J Clin Oncol. 2010 Jan 10;28(2):340-7. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2009.23.2488. Epub 2009 Nov 30

Written by Luke Dorizas