Abstract
BACKGROUND: Over the past few years there has been a growing interest in the field of physical exercise in rehabilitation of cancer patients, leading to requirements for objective maximum physical capacity measurement (maximum oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) and one-repetition maximum (1RM)) to determine dose-response levels in different cancer diagnoses.
AIM: To explore the patients' experiences of maximum physical capacity testing while concurrently undergoing chemotherapy and participating in a 6-week, 9 h weekly multidimensional exercise program.
DESIGN AND METHOD: Prospective, exploratory study using semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted prior to and at termination of the program. The study included 100 patients (18-65 years, median 42 years) with or without residual disease and with mixed diagnoses.
RESULTS: Following the intervention, cancer patients felt significantly safer in performing maximum physical capacity tests as these motivated them through self-perceived competitiveness and set a standard that served to encourage peak performance.
CONCLUSION: The positive attitudes in this sample towards maximum physical capacity open the possibility of introducing physical testing early in the treatment process. However, the patients were self-referred and thus highly motivated and as such are not necessarily representative of the whole population of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Pages (from-to) | 403-11 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| ISSN | 0905-7188 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2006 |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Exercise
- Exercise Tolerance
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Motivation
- Muscle Strength
- Neoplasms
- Oxygen Consumption
- Prospective Studies
- Journal Article
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
