title: A pilot study examining the effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training and continuous low to moderate intensity training on quality of life, functional capacity and cardiovascular risk factors in cancer survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training and continuous low to moderate intensity training on quality of life, functional capacity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cancer survivors within 24 months post-diagnosis were randomly assigned into the low-volume high-intensity interval training group (n= 8) or the continuous low to moderate intensity training group (n= 8) group for 36 sessions (12 weeks) of supervised exercise. The low-volume high-intensity interval training (LVHIIT) group performed 7 × 30 s intervals (≥85% maximal heart rate) and the continuous low to moderate intensity training (CLMIT) group performed continuous aerobic training for 20 min (≤55% maximal heart rate) on a stationary bike or treadmill.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements (time) were observed for 13 of the 23 dependent variables (ES 0.05-0.61,p≤ 0.05). An interaction effect was observed for six minute walk test (18.53% [32.43-4.63] ES 0.50,p≤ 0.01) with the LVHIIT group demonstrating greater improvements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary findings suggest that both interventions can induce improvements in quality of life, functional capacity and selected cardiovascular disease risk factors. The LVHIIT program was well tolerated by the participants and our results suggest that LVHIIT is the preferred modality to improve fitness (6MWT); it remains to be seen which intervention elicits the most clinically relevant outcomes for patients. A larger sample size with a control group is required to confirm the significance of these findings.
authors: Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science/Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors: Kellie
authors: K
authors: Toohey
authors: Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science/Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors: Kate L
authors: KL
authors: Pumpa
authors: ANU Medical School, Australian National University , Canberra , ACT , Australia.
authors: Leonard
authors: L
authors: Arnolda
authors: Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science/Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Cooke
authors: ANU Medical School, Australian National University , Canberra , ACT , Australia.
authors: Desmond
authors: D
authors: Yip
authors: ANU Medical School, Australian National University , Canberra , ACT , Australia.
authors: Paul S
authors: PS
authors: Craft
authors: Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science/Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors: Stuart
authors: S
authors: Semple
keywords: Cancer survivors; Cardiovascular disease; Exercise; Functional capacity; Health; High-intensity; Moderate-intensity; Physical activity; Quality of life; Training