title: Higher-Intensity Exercise Results in More Sustainable Improvements for VO2peak for Breast and Prostate Cancer Survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine peak volume of oxygen consumption (VO2peak) changes after a high- or low-intensity exercise intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental trial comparing two randomized intervention groups with control.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exercise clinic at a university in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  87 prostate cancer survivors (aged 47-80 years) and 72 breast cancer survivors (aged 34-76 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants enrolled in an eight-week exercise intervention (n = 84) or control (n = 75) group. Intervention participants were randomized to low-intensity (n = 44, 60%-65% VO2peak, 50%-65% of one repetition maximum [1RM]) or high-intensity (n = 40, 75%-80% VO2peak, 65%-80% 1RM) exercise groups. Participants in the control group continued usual routines. All participants were assessed at weeks 1 and 10. The intervention groups were reassessed four months postintervention for sustainability.
  
  
  METHODS
  VO2peak and self-reported physical activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intervention groups improved VO2peak similarly (p = 0.083), and both more than controls (p < 0.001). The high-intensity group maintained VO2peak at follow-up, whereas the low-intensity group regressed (p = 0.021). The low-intensity group minimally changed from baseline to follow-up by 0.5 ml/kg per minute, whereas the high-intensity group significantly improved by 2.2 ml/kg per minute (p = 0.01). Intervention groups always reported similar physical activity levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher-intensity exercise provided more sustainable cardiorespiratory benefits than lower-intensity exercise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Survivors need guidance on exercise intensity, because a high volume of low-intensity exercise may not provide sustained health benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Monterey Bay, in Seaside, CA.
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Claudio L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Battaglini
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Research at the University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hands
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at Queensland University of Technology, Australia, in Brisbane.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Naumann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D014904:Western Australia
keywords: aerobic exercise; breast neoplasms; cardiorespiratory exercise test; exercise oncology; prostate neoplasms