Effects of Functional Exercise on Fitness and QoL in Cancer Survivors

This study will be the first to examine the effects of a functional resistance exercise programme that closely replicates daily activities and their effects on quality of life, body composition and functional fitness in cancer survivors. This study will also use a supervised and group based exercise setting to help with socialisation and confidence with an aim to improve the exercise experience. Eligible participants should be 18-90 years old, been treated for colorectal cancer (stages I-IV) in the previous 3 months to five years and with no limitations to exercise. The study will include a 12-week exercise period where participants will be randomly allocated to the control group or to take part in 32 supervised one-hour group exercise sessions involving exercises to target the whole body at a moderate intensity which will take place in the Mountbatten Centre, Pyramids Centre, Fareham Leisure Centre or Horizons Leisure Centres. Depending on participants' membership status those in the control group could use the centre's exercise referral programme, which has a cost attached, or they will be encouraged to meet national physical activity recommendations by walking 30 minutes per day on most days of the week. The only difference between the two groups will be the supervised group functional resistance training. At the beginning and end of the 12-week study period a number of health-related fitness tests will be performed to assess health outcomes, such as resting blood pressure \& heart rate, respiratory function, body fat measures (body mass index, waist circumference and body fat %), functional performance measurements, handgrip strength, a 6 minute walk test and self-efficacy to regulate exercise and measures of quality of life questionnaires. Participants will be provided with their own results and an overview of the whole study data.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

90 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or Female, aged 18-90
* Been treated for colorectal cancer
* Cancer stages I-IV
* Cancer survivors will be eligible to participate if at least three months will have passed since their last treatment
* Those who are within 5 years of their last cancer treatment
* Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants with previous FRT participation
* Cancer survivors with cardiovascular insufficiency (i.e. recent myocardial infarction, acute myocarditis, and uncontrolled symptomatic heart failure)
* Participants with cognitive or physical impairment leading to inability to exercise
* Cancer survivors with severe anaemia (i.e. Haemoglobin \< 8g/dl), symptoms of unusual fatigue, disorientation, faintness, pallor, blurred vision, ataxia, acute nausea and vomiting during the exercise session
* Participants with immunosuppression (i.e. WBC \< 500/mm3), absolute neutrophil count \< 0.5×10 9μl and thrombocytopenia (Platelet count \< 50× 109μl)