SP 3.04 Exploring the Impact of Resistance Exercise Adjuvant to High-Intensity Interval Training as a Prehabilitation Strategy for Colorectal Cancer
Wayne Fradley, Joshua Wall, Tyler Daubrah-Scott, Eleanor Jones, Jon Lund, Bethan PhillipsAbstract
Aims
To compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) alone versus HIIT-plus-resistance exercise training (ReHIIT) on multiple indices of physical function when delivered as surgical prehabilitation for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients scheduled for surgery with curative intent.
Methods
CRC patients scheduled for curative resection were recruited into a single-centre randomised trial. Participants were allocated to either HIIT or ReHIIT for a period of up to 31-days during the window between decision-to-treat and surgery. Functional assessments were conducted at baseline, prior to surgery, and 6-weeks post-operatively. Outcomes included handgrip strength (HGS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance, timed up-and-go (TUG) time, short physical performance battery (SPPB) performance, and lower-limb strength. Data was analysed via 2-way ANOVA (group x time) with significance accepted as p<0.05.
Results
Forty participants were recruited. Only ReHIIT was able to elicit a significant improvement in lower-limb strength and was also able to prevent declines in strength after surgery. No significant change in any other outcome was observed during the prehabilitation or recovery period in either group.
Conclusions
Neither HIIT nor ReHIIT prehabilitation elicited improvements in clinically utilised measures of physical function. The improvements in lower-limb strength seen in those who completed ReHIIT does not appear to be reflected in these measures. It should be considered that both forms of prehabilitation may have mitigated post-surgery declines in physical function which cannot be seen in the absence of a control group, and that other key measures of physical function (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness) may be improved by these interventions.